The state government had earlier allotted 10 acres of land in Mannur taluk to run D.Ed and B.Ed courses at a single location. Of this, five acres house the District Education and Training (DIET) Institute building, which is currently in use. The remaining five acres, where the Government Teachers’ Education College (CTE) buildings were constructed, now lie dilapidated.
Some construction remains incomplete, and villagers claim the abandoned premises attract miscreants during the evenings, leading to illegal activities and littering of alcohol bottles and sachets.
Locals are now urging the government to renovate the unused buildings, complete the pending work, and establish either a government residential school, a high school, or a B.Ed college on the premises.
CTE Not Shifted: Earlier, the DIET functioned in Belgaum city and catered to hundreds of D.Ed students. In 1994-95, it was moved to the new facility in Mannur, which is now fully equipped. There is also a growing demand to construct a perimeter wall around the DIET building for safety.
However, the CTE, which offers B.Ed courses, continues to operate from its old premises on Kakatiwes Road. Every monsoon, academic activities are disrupted due to severe leaks in the building.
“Every year, 100 students are enrolled in the first-year B.Ed course. With rising demand and limited seats, many face difficulties getting admission. If the CTE building in Mannur is restored and used to run additional B. Ed classes, more students can be accommodated,” said education experts.
They also point out that Mannur’s proximity to Belgaum makes it an ideal location for a Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya or another residential school, which would benefit rural students.
“We are utilizing the DIET building well. Reviving the unused CTE building for educational purposes would help students,” said Basavaraja Nalatwada, DIET Principal.
“The CTE was never shifted because construction in Mannur was left incomplete. It should be finished, and a residential or government high school should be started there,” said M.M. Sindhur, retired CTE principal.
CTE Relocation Not Feasible:
“Currently, 200 students pursue B.Ed at CTE, 90% of whom are girls. A hostel is located nearby. However, Mannur lacks reliable bus connectivity from Belgaum. So, relocating the college isn’t practical. Also, having two CTEs in the same city is not viable. Instead, a different course can be launched in the Mannur building,” said Principal N. Srikanth to reporters.
