Mandatory to conduct safety audit in schools: MOE
According to officials, the Ministry of Education has ordered all states and Union territories to audit the facilities and safety measures for students in schools. Schools have also been urged by the Education Ministry to guarantee the structures' structural soundness. A day earlier, on Friday, a section of a government school in the Jhalawar region of Rajasthan fell, killing seven children and injuring twenty-eight more.
"To protect the safety and wellbeing of students, states and UTs must act immediately. This includes mandatory safety audits of schools and child-related facilities as per national safety codes, training for staff and students in emergency preparedness, and the provision of psychosocial support through counselling and peer networks,” a senior MoE official said.
"A comprehensive evaluation of structural integrity, emergency exits, fire safety, and electrical wiring is required. Staff and students must receive disaster readiness training, which includes safety procedures, evacuation drills, and first aid, the official stated.
In order to undertake regular training sessions and mock drills, the ministry suggested that partnerships with local authorities (NDMA, fire services, police, and medical agencies) be expanded.
Counseling services, peer support networks, and community engagement programs must prioritize mental and emotional well-being in addition to physical protection.
"The designated state or UT authority must be notified within 24 hours of any dangerous situation, near miss, or incident involving potential harm to children or youth." When there is a delay, carelessness, or inaction, strict responsibility must be guaranteed, the official stated.
Parents, guardians, community leaders, and local bodies should be encouraged to remain vigilant and report unsafe conditions in schools, public areas, or modes of transportation used by children and youth.
"School boards, education departments, and related authorities have been urged by the ministry to take immediate action in putting the aforementioned measures into effect," the official stated.
