The state government has sought reports from the district inspectors of schools in nine districts, including Calcutta, about the extent of damage caused by Cyclone Dana to school infrastructure and students’ textbooks.

The commissioner of school education, Arup Sengupta, wrote to the district inspectors on Saturday: “You are aware that the cyclone Dana has made landfall on 24.10.2024. Following the cyclone heavy rainfall has reportedly affected a good number of blocks in your districts.”

“...a Google form is being shared for providing the status of damage caused to textbooks/ exercise books of students and the infrastructure of schools. You are requested to take immediate feedback,” the letter said.

The nine districts are Calcutta, Howrah, Hooghly, North 24-Parganas, South 24-Parganas, East Medinipur, West Medinipur, Jhargram and Bankura.

“As and when we get an estimate about the extent of the damage, the department will reimburse the expenses,” said an official in the school education department.

Of the nine districts, the school infrastructure in East Midnapore suffered the maximum damage, the official said.

Hrisikesh Das, the headmaster of Battala Anandamoyee High School in East Midnapore’s Ramnagar, said: “The roof of the room where midday meal is cooked and served was blown away in the winds unleashed by the cyclone. The kitchen garden on the campus where we grow vegetables was also destroyed. We are worried abouthow midday meal will be provided to students once the school reopens after the Puja vacation.”

The headmaster of another government-aided school in the area said many students reported that textbooks in their homes were destroyed in the rain triggered by Dana.

“Without textbooks, they won’t be able to attend classes. The students are to write their summative exams once the schools reopen. Many students are worried about how they will write the papers,” said a headmaster who did not want to be named.

The students in the government and aided schools are assessed through summative and formative tests.

The headmaster said the Dana-triggered winds and rain blew away or submerged the homes of many of his students.

Swapan Mandal, the general secretary of the Bengal Teachers’ and Employees’ Association, said a prolonged summer vacation, caused by heatwave and the Lok Sabha polls, came in the way of completing the syllabus.

The vacation started on April 22, and the schools reopened on June 10. Summer vacation usually lasts three weeks.

“With so many students losing their textbooks, there will be a further setback. The state government should consider this and make adequate compensation,” said Mandal.

An official in the education department said the state government had earlier this month provided financial assistance to 16 lakh students at the higher secondary level in government and aided schools so they could buy tabs.

“Around ₹1,300 crore was spent to help the students buy tabs. This government is always keen to help students, especially when they are in distress,” the official said.