School security a shared accountability; norms must be adhered to, say officers

Express News Service

KOCHI:  The latest tragic incident through which a 13-year-old scholar of Jeevass CMI Central School in Aluva died after he fell from the sunshade on the third ground of the college constructing has served to spotlight the shortage of security measures in instructional establishments within the state.

The mishap occurred on October 24, when Adik John Ebie stepped onto the sunshade to retrieve an examination query paper that had blown away within the wind. He was hospitalised in crucial situation and breathed his final on December 5.  

Adik John Ebie who not too long ago
died in a mishap at college

Though authorities declare that colleges comply with security norms, it’s an open secret that such accidents are ready to occur, except correct measures are taken. According to unofficial findings of the fireplace and rescue division, the vast majority of faculty buildings within the state are unsafe for college kids. Though the National Building Code (NBC) mandates a minimal parapet peak of 5 toes to forestall college students from falling off buildings, that is hardly ever enforced.

A fireplace and rescue official mentioned faculty authorities are placing college students at nice danger by ignoring the security pointers for buildings. “The Aluva accident is a tragic example of the negligence of school authorities. If the school had maintained a minimum height for the parapet, the student would not have been able to access the sunshade,” mentioned the officer, who requested to not be recognized.

He mentioned that as per guidelines, an exit (stairway) of at the least half a metre width must be offered in colleges with at the least 25 college students. Moreover, all establishments ought to have primary fire-fighting tools like carbon dioxide cylinders and water and sand buckets and may concentrate on their proper utility. 

“Schools which were constructed before the safety regulations came into effect may find it difficult to adhere to them. If the government or the agencies responsible for implementing safety in schools keep their eyes closed, the consequences could be tragic,” one other officer added.

A retired official mentioned a hearth or constructing collapse on the college premises might flip right into a catastrophe as officers will discover it unattainable to evacuate all the scholars throughout the brief window obtainable. At current, native our bodies are liable for issuing health certificates to authorities colleges.

However, this train is, typically, an eyewash. “Issuing fitness certificates to schools has become an annual affair. Even if a local body suggests modifications, that mostly remains on paper. The delay in getting government funds and other issues also contribute to the sorry state of affairs,” mentioned an engineer with PWD who was entrusted with the duty of issuing health certificates to varsities.

The District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), which is liable for implementing security actions in colleges, will not be able to take the blame. “The primary responsibility for any safety issue at schools is with the heads of the institutions,” a high DDMA official mentioned. A report on the Aluva incident has already been sought from the officers involved, he added.

Meanwhile, Shine Mon, extra director with the schooling division, mentioned authorities are strictly monitoring the security of colleges. “A directive has also been issued to school heads to monitor safety. We will take steps to prevent any loopholes in the process,” he mentioned.

Indira Rajan, secretary basic of the National Council of CBSE Schools, mentioned the vast majority of CBSE colleges within the state strictly adhere to security pointers. “Even though some schools were built many years ago, we always ensure students’ safety and security. When constructing new schools, the CBSE strictly adheres to fire and rescue guidelines. It is common for authorities to impose new rules only when an untoward incident occurs,” she mentioned.

NBC FOR SCHOOLS

All establishments should keep a minimal parapet peak of 5ft
Exit (stairway) of at the least half a metre width must be offered for an establishment with minimal of 25 college students
All establishments ought to have primary fire-fighting tools similar to carbon dioxide cylinders and water and sand buckets, and may know their proper utility

KOCHI:  The latest tragic incident through which a 13-year-old scholar of Jeevass CMI Central School in Aluva died after he fell from the sunshade on the third ground of the college constructing has served to spotlight the shortage of security measures in instructional establishments within the state.

The mishap occurred on October 24, when Adik John Ebie stepped onto the sunshade to retrieve an examination query paper that had blown away within the wind. He was hospitalised in crucial situation and breathed his final on December 5.  

Adik John Ebie who not too long ago
died in a mishap at collegeThough authorities declare that colleges comply with security norms, it’s an open secret that such accidents are ready to occur, except correct measures are taken. According to unofficial findings of the fireplace and rescue division, the vast majority of faculty buildings within the state are unsafe for college kids. Though the National Building Code (NBC) mandates a minimal parapet peak of 5 toes to forestall college students from falling off buildings, that is hardly ever enforced.

A fireplace and rescue official mentioned faculty authorities are placing college students at nice danger by ignoring the security pointers for buildings. “The Aluva accident is a tragic example of the negligence of school authorities. If the school had maintained a minimum height for the parapet, the student would not have been able to access the sunshade,” mentioned the officer, who requested to not be recognized.

He mentioned that as per guidelines, an exit (stairway) of at the least half a metre width must be offered in colleges with at the least 25 college students. Moreover, all establishments ought to have primary fire-fighting tools like carbon dioxide cylinders and water and sand buckets and may concentrate on their proper utility. 

“Schools which were constructed before the safety regulations came into effect may find it difficult to adhere to them. If the government or the agencies responsible for implementing safety in schools keep their eyes closed, the consequences could be tragic,” one other officer added.

A retired official mentioned a hearth or constructing collapse on the college premises might flip right into a catastrophe as officers will discover it unattainable to evacuate all the scholars throughout the brief window obtainable. At current, native our bodies are liable for issuing health certificates to authorities colleges.

However, this train is, typically, an eyewash. “Issuing fitness certificates to schools has become an annual affair. Even if a local body suggests modifications, that mostly remains on paper. The delay in getting government funds and other issues also contribute to the sorry state of affairs,” mentioned an engineer with PWD who was entrusted with the duty of issuing health certificates to varsities.

The District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), which is liable for implementing security actions in colleges, will not be able to take the blame. “The primary responsibility for any safety issue at schools is with the heads of the institutions,” a high DDMA official mentioned. A report on the Aluva incident has already been sought from the officers involved, he added.

Meanwhile, Shine Mon, extra director with the schooling division, mentioned authorities are strictly monitoring the security of colleges. “A directive has also been issued to school heads to monitor safety. We will take steps to prevent any loopholes in the process,” he mentioned.

Indira Rajan, secretary basic of the National Council of CBSE Schools, mentioned the vast majority of CBSE colleges within the state strictly adhere to security pointers. “Even though some schools were built many years ago, we always ensure students’ safety and security. When constructing new schools, the CBSE strictly adheres to fire and rescue guidelines. It is common for authorities to impose new rules only when an untoward incident occurs,” she mentioned.

NBC FOR SCHOOLS

All establishments should keep a minimal parapet peak of 5ft
Exit (stairway) of at the least half a metre width must be offered for an establishment with minimal of 25 college students
All establishments ought to have primary fire-fighting tools similar to carbon dioxide cylinders and water and sand buckets, and may know their proper utility