The Hindu : New Delhi News : Response sought from States on school safety measures

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Response sought from States on school safety measures

J. Venkatesan

PIL plea filed in light of Kumbakonam fire tragedy seeks time-bound plan

Counsel for petitioner submits fresh suggestions on safety aspects
States must ensure their compliance before granting recognition to schools

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday granted six weeks to States for filing their responses to a Public Interest Litigation petition seeking formulation of a comprehensive time-bound plan to ensure the safety of schoolchildren in the light of the Kumbakonam fire tragedy in July 2004, which claimed 90 lives.

A Bench of Justice Ashok Bhan and Justice Dalveer Bhandari granted time after counsel for the petitioner submitted fresh suggestions on safety aspects to be complied with by the State governments in granting recognition to the schools.

The court had issued the notice on a petition filed by Avinash Mehrotra, who wanted a direction to constitute a committee of jurists, legal experts and lawyers to formulate a comprehensive time-bound report for carrying out reforms in the safety standards prescribed for schools.

The petitioner also asked the court to evolve model safety standards as part of Article 21 of the Constitution and for free and fair exercise of fundamental rights under Article 14, 15 and 19.

He said the Kumbakonam tragedy had prompted calls for higher safety standards in schools. He submitted that India’s economic reforms saw a proliferation of ill-equipped schools as the government cut spending on education to curtail its budget deficit.

State’s response

In its response to the petition, Tamil Nadu said the State government had taken immediate steps to remove all thatched roofs in schools and replace them with non-flammable materials.

The incident was due to criminal negligence on the part of the school management and lack of effective supervision by officials.

The government had also ordered that all the noon-meal centres in the State be provided with non-flammable roofing.

Mandatory fire safety inspection by the Fire and Rescue Services Department was being undertaken in all schools for ensuring adequate provision for entry, exit and emergency exit.

Training for teachers

A crash-training course for teachers on how to handle fire emergency and to undertake fire safety drills was being organised regularly.

In the fresh suggestions, the petitioner said all the schools should be equipped with fire extinguishers. There must be a task force in every school to evolve a fire safety plan.

Mock drills should be conducted regularly to train students and school staff. All school buildings must be constructed using bricks. Where RCC roofing was not possible, non-combustible fireproof heat resistance materials should be used.

The school managements must be directed to file compliance of the norms and guidelines with the authorities concerned.

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