Centre issues urgent safety directive to states after school mishaps | India News
NEW DELHI: In the wake of recent tragic incidents in schools, the Ministry of Education has directed all states and Union Territories to immediately conduct safety audits of educational institutions and ensure comprehensive measures to protect students’ physical and mental well-being. The advisory, issued as a matter of urgency, mandates structural assessments of schools and child-related facilities, training in emergency preparedness, and robust mechanisms for psychosocial support.The ministry’s directive comes amid mounting concerns over student safety following fatal accidents in school buildings. On July 19, seven children were killed in Rajasthan’s Jhalawar district when a portion of a government school building collapsed. A day earlier in Ranchi, Jharkhand, one person died and several children were injured after the roof of a school caved in during heavy rainfall. Citing these and other incidents, ministry officials emphasised that systemic gaps in safety infrastructure must be urgently addressed to prevent further loss of life.The advisory outlines mandatory safety audits for all school buildings and public facilities used by children and youth, in line with national safety codes and disaster management guidelines. These audits must assess the structural integrity of buildings, including fire safety compliance, emergency exits, and electrical wiring. Schools must also take responsibility for ensuring the safety of transport services used by students. Any deficiencies identified during the audit must be promptly rectified, and accountability must be fixed in case of future accidents, the ministry stated.Alongside infrastructure checks, the directive calls for compulsory training of school staff and students in emergency preparedness. Evacuation drills, first aid, and safety protocol training must be conducted regularly in partnership with local disaster management authorities, fire services, police, and medical agencies. Schools have been asked to strengthen collaboration with these agencies to conduct periodic mock drills and ensure preparedness.Recognising the need to address students’ mental and emotional well-being, the ministry has also instructed schools to prioritise psychosocial support through counselling sessions, peer support networks, and community engagement. Officials underscored that physical safety cannot be delinked from psychological health, especially in the aftermath of traumatic incidents.The directive further mandates that any dangerous situation, near-miss, or incident involving potential harm to students must be reported within 24 hours to the designated state or UT authority. Education departments have been asked to enforce strict accountability in case of delays, negligence, or failure to act.The Centre has also urged parents, guardians, local bodies, and community leaders to remain vigilant and report unsafe conditions in schools, public areas, or transportation modes used by children. “It is the collective responsibility of institutions and the community to ensure that no child is put at risk due to preventable circumstances,” the ministry said.All state and UT education departments, school boards, and affiliated authorities have been instructed to implement the measures without delay.
