Ceiling fan falls on schoolkids, eight injured

Eight kindergarten students of the Nisarga Vidyanikethana private school at Thyamagondlu near Nelamangala suffered minor injuries when a ceiling fan in their classroom allegedly collapsed on them Friday afternoon.

The students sustained injuries on their head, forehead and back and were rushed to a nearby private hospital. Seven were treated as outpatients. One student is an inpatient and has had eight stitches on the head, said Thyamagondlu police.

Police attribute the incident to poor plastering work on the classroom ceiling, which has outraged several parents.  “One of them has lodged a complaint against the school authorities,” a police officer revealed and added that a case has been registered under Section 337 (endangering life or personal safety of others) of the Indian Penal Code. 

Not fan, but plaster

Block Education Officer Hanuma Naik, however, told Deccan Herald that the injuries were caused by heavy, sharp shards of ceiling plaster which chipped and fell on the children. Expressing shock at the incident, he said, “The building was built just two years ago. We are investigating how this could have taken place. I have asked the school management to call the engineer concerned immediately. Since the school was about to close for the day, a lot of parents were waiting outside, and when the incident came to light, they rushed into the premises.”

Bangalore Rural Deputy Director of Public Instruction (DDPI) H V Venkateshappa said a notice will be issued to the school and based on the gravity of the situation, it will be decided whether or not to withdraw recognition for the school. “It is a private, unaided school and the parents can claim medical expenses from the school,” he added.
Naik said he has instructed the school to remain closed on Saturday if necessary. “A detailed report on the incident will be submitted to the DDPI on Monday,” he explained.