Rohtak DC orders safety audit of 400 govt schools after Rajasthan tragedy

In a proactive move following a tragic roof collapse incident in Rajasthan that claimed the lives of several schoolchildren, the Rohtak district administration has ordered a comprehensive safety audit of all government school buildings.

Cost estimates already sent

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Total govt schools: 406 (primary to senior secondary)

Status: Audit ordered; cost estimates for unsafe buildings already sent

Timeline: Audit to begin after Haryana Teacher Eligibility Test, to be completed within 1 week

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Unsafe buildings: Reconstruction pending in many; classes shifted to safer locations

Safety of children top priority

The safety of children is our top priority. Instructions have already been issued to education officials in this regard.

— Dharmendra Singh, deputy commissioner, rohtak

Most buildings structurally sound

We will begin the audit immediately after the Haryana Teacher Eligibility Test and aim to complete it within a week. Most of the buildings are structurally sound. — Manjeet Malik, district education officer

Deputy Commissioner Dharmendra Singh has directed the District Education Officer (DEO), Manjeet Malik, to conduct the audit of all 406 government schools in the district and submit a detailed report at the earliest. The aim is to identify structural vulnerabilities and implement preventive measures to ensure student safety.

“There are many school buildings in the district that have already been declared unsafe, but reconstruction is still pending,” said a local official from the Education Department.

“In such cases, classes have been shifted to nearby schools or alternative locations to ensure student safety.”

The official added that declaring a building unsafe and initiating reconstruction involves a formal and time-consuming process. “Some unsafe structures in the district have not yet been demolished to make way for new ones. The safety audit will provide a clear picture of the condition of school infrastructure across the district,” he said.

When contacted, DC Dharmendra Singh confirmed issuing directions for the audit.

“The safety of children is our top priority. Instructions have already been issued to education officials in this regard,” he said, adding that no classes are currently being held in buildings already deemed unsafe.

DEO Manjeet Malik said cost estimates for reconstructing unsafe school buildings have been sent to the head office for approval.

“There are 406 government schools in the district, ranging from primary to senior secondary. All these will undergo a safety audit,” she said.

“Most of the buildings are structurally sound. We will begin the audit immediately after the HTET (Haryana Teacher Eligibility Test) and aim to complete it within a week. A report will then be submitted to the DC.”

Meanwhile, Jhajjar Deputy Commissioner Swapnil Ravinder Patil said a similar safety audit order for school buildings in his district will also be issued soon.

His announcement comes amid concerns over waterlogging and safety violations reported last week at Government Primary School-1 near Prasad Giri Temple in Jhajjar city. Despite the building being declared unsafe, classes were being held there, putting students at risk.