Edu officer issues safety guidelines for schools

Following the recent rains and floods, the District Education Officer (DEO) of Hoshiarpur, Lalita Arora, has issued crucial safety guidelines to all school heads under the directions of Deputy Commissioner Ashika Jain. These measures aim to safeguard the health, safety and academic progress of students.

Arora emphasised that all schools should open on 8 September, with a mandatory inspection of school buildings. School heads and teachers are instructed to check for any cracks, structural damage, roof leaks, or weak electrical wires. If any issues are found, students should not be allowed to sit in those areas.

In case of water stagnation around the school or any other potential hazard, the local administration and education department must be informed immediately.

Additionally, the safety of school buses and other transport facilities must be ensured, with thorough checks to prevent accidents. Schools are also required to confirm the availability of clean drinking water and any neglected or unclean water tanks must be cleaned promptly.

Arora stressed that under no circumstances will students be permitted to attend schools with safety concerns. School heads are to report any such issues directly to the education department.

The District Education Officer underscored the importance of maintaining a safe and study-friendly environment, asserting that no negligence in these matters will be tolerated. A complete inspection will be conducted once schools reopen to ensure compliance with all safety regulations.

She concluded by warning that strict action will be taken against any school found negligent in ensuring the safety and well-being of students. The Education Department's proactive approach aims to ensure that education continues uninterrupted, even in challenging conditions.