Days after the death of seven students due to a roof collapse in Jhalawar, Rajasthan, another tragedy struck the state as a first-grade student, aged just seven, died after a school gate collapsed in Poonamnagar, Jaisalmer, on Monday. A five-year-old girl and a teacher also sustained injuries in the incident.
The victim, Arbaaz Khan, son of Talab Khan, had two sisters studying at the girls’ school where the incident occurred, while he was a student at a nearby school. Arbaaz had come to pick up his sisters after school and was waiting near the school gate when it suddenly collapsed. Priya (5) and teacher Ashok Kumar Soni were also injured in the accident.
School principal Suman Bala said, “We had stationed staff near the gate to prevent our students from going close to it, but a child from outside came, and suddenly this accident happened. The staff members were also injured while trying to save the child. The higher authorities were informed earlier about the dilapidated condition of the gate. Apart from the gate, 2-3 of the 12 rooms in the school are in a dilapidated condition and have been locked.”
Collector Pratap Singh stated that an investigation team has been formed to probe the incident. Action will be taken against those found negligent. Assistance will be provided to the families of the deceased and the injured as per government norms.
The recent heavy downpour has worsened conditions for hundreds of government school buildings already in poor shape. Incidents of falling plaster and collapsing walls are being reported almost daily.
The government has now decided to conduct a survey of all school buildings and demolish those deemed beyond repair. Temporary container classrooms will be arranged to continue school operations until new buildings are constructed.
