Conduct mandatory safety audit of schools, Centre tells states

The Ministry of Education has issued a directive to all states and Union Territories to conduct mandatory safety audits of schools and child-related facilities in line with the National Disaster Management Guidelines on School Safety.

This comes amid incidents of portions of school buildings collapsing, the latest one in Rajasthan, where a portion of a Piplod Government School collapsed in Jhalawar district on July 25, leaving seven children dead and 28 injured.

“All schools and public facilities used by children and youth must undergo safety audits in accordance with the national safety codes and disaster management guidelines. Structural integrity along with fire safety, emergency exits and electrical wiring must be thoroughly assessed,” the directive said.

The Education Ministry has also laid emphasis on the training of staff and students in emergency preparedness, including evacuation drills, first aid and safety protocols.

“Collaborations with the local authorities (NDMA, fire services, police and medical agencies) must be strengthened for periodic training and mock drills. Along with physical safety, mental health and emotional well-being through counselling services, peer-support systems and community engagement should also be ensured,” the ministry said.

Any dangerous situation, near miss or incident involving potential harm to young individuals must be reported within 24 hours to the designated state authorities.

It has also asked the state governments to fix accountability in cases of delay, inaction or negligence. Parents, guardians, community leaders and local bodies have been urged to be vigilant and report unsafe conditions in schools, public areas as well as transportation used by children and youth.

“First aid should be available in schools. We do not want a repeat of what has happened in Rajasthan. We will be following up with schools,” a senior official said.

On July 21, the roof of a government school in Karthikappally, Alappuzha, collapsed. On July 18, a person was killed and another was trapped after a portion of the roof of a government school building collapsed in Jharkhand’s Ranchi.