Unsafe schools: A tragedy on loop

The collapse of a portion of a school building in Rajasthan’s Jhalawar district on Friday, which claimed the lives of seven children and injured at least 27, was no accident. The residents had alerted the authorities that the building was unsafe, but their concern was ignored. District authorities had recently sought information about unsafe buildings, but the school escaped their attention. After the Jhalawar tragedy, one student was killed when a school gate collapsed in the state’s Jaisalmer district. Portions of two school buildings collapsed in other districts, but there were no deaths or injuries because the incidents happened after school hours. The deaths in Jhalawar need to be seen as the result of criminal negligence.

These incidents underline the need for regular inspection and upkeep of public buildings, especially schools, where hundreds of children remain vulnerable to collapses of structures and other mishaps, increasingly in the rainy season. As many as 2,710 school buildings in Rajasthan had been identified as needing repairs. Water structures and electrical fittings in many schools were also reported as faulty. However, no funds were allocated in the state budget for repair and maintenance work in schools. Madan Dilawar, the state school education minister, made a callous remark that he cannot personally fund the repairs. The state government has announced an inquiry, and the Centre has ordered a safety audit of all schools. This is also a time to look at recent incidents to assess the bigger national picture. In Kerala’s Ernakulam district, an unused portion of a school building collapsed. A student died of an electric shock in another school in the state.

Safety and security of children at school is the government’s responsibility; they need to be prioritised with greater focus. Inadequate infrastructure and lack of safety may be one of the reasons for low enrollment in many states. In Rajasthan, the government school enrolment among children aged between 6 and 14 is just about 60%. The Rajasthan High Court has taken suo motu cognisance of the school collapse and sought reports from the authorities. It noted that 32% of government schools in the state lacked electricity, and 9% did not have access to drinking water. Many did not have separate toilets for boys and girls. The court also quoted a survey which showed that 22% of schools in 12 states, including Rajasthan, were in a dilapidated condition. The New Education Policy prescribes a safe and comfortable school environment for all children. Beyond the policy text, the governments should ensure tangible action on the ground.