The Ministry of Education has directed all states and Union Territories to carry out mandatory safety audits in schools and other child-related public facilities. This move is in line with the National Disaster Management Guidelines on School Safety and comes after multiple incidents took place, which claimed the lives of several people.
The order is followed by a tragic collapse of a government school building in Rajasthan’s Jhalawar district on July 25, which claimed the lives of seven children and injured 28 others.
“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.
Additionally, the ministry said that schools should also be prepared for emergencies like fires or natural disasters.
“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 directive added.
This includes evacuation drills, first aid training and the establishment of systems to support students’ emotional health.
24-hour reporting rule and accountability
The ministry has made it mandatory to report any incident or situation posing potential harm to children within 24 hours to designated state authorities.
It has also asked state governments to fix accountability in cases of delay, inaction, or negligence. Parents, guardians, community leaders and local bodies have been urged to remain vigilant and report unsafe conditions in schools, public places, and transportation used by children.
Recent school collapse incidents
Just days before the Jhalawar collapse, the roof of a government school in Karthikappally, Alappuzha, fell on July 21. On July 18, a person died and another was trapped after part of a school roof collapsed in Ranchi, Jharkhand.