Karwar: A Paundalik, Deputy Director of Public Instruction (DDPI) said: "Although Uttara Kannada is one of the most literate districts in the state,it has 354 schools made of mud alone. Students take their lessons in these 'Kaccha buildings' even during monsoon, which pose serious threat to their lives."

"Many parents avoid sending their children to these schools and prefer schools in far off places," he said.

 Karwar district has 190 schools made of mud and the rest are in the Sirsi district. In Karwar district, there are 524 classrooms made of mud, many of them built in British era, out of which 321classes are identified as 'very risky to children,' he added.

Paundalik said that the Public Instruction Department had sent a proposal to the government four years back demanding Rs 30.34 crore to construct classrooms in these schools, which is still pending.

The residents are complaining about where the crores of rupees spent by the government on education is going and wants the government to pay attention to the safety of students and quality of education. "Everyday, we go through a lot of stress right from the time our kids go to school till they return home, " they complained.

The DDPI and other officials have visited some of such schools and have assured that necessary action will be taken.