Just a day after the tragic death of seven children due to the collapse of a school roof in Jhalawar, Rajasthan, two more school roofs collapsed in the state on Saturday. Fortunately, no casualties were reported in these incidents. Meanwhile, public outrage has erupted across the state, with children and parents locking up several dilapidated school buildings in protest.
The roof of the Government Primary School in Khariabas Ki Dhani, Degana block, collapsed around 6:30 am on Saturday. Due to rain-induced dampness, cracks had developed in the walls, prompting the school administration to shut the building a few days earlier, thereby averting a tragedy.
A similar incident occurred in a government school in Inayati, located in the Sapotra block of Karauli district, where a dilapidated roof collapsed on Saturday morning. Fortunately, the school had not yet opened, preventing any injuries or loss of life.
In another case, in Mount Abu (Sirohi district), plaster from the verandah roof fell in Banjaraphali Primary School, Panduri village, Aburoad area. Principal Sunita Bairwa stated that two classrooms in the school were already in a dilapidated condition.
Following the Jhalawar tragedy, protests by children and parents were reported in Sawai Madhopur, Kota, Udaipur, and several other locations, where demonstrators gathered outside deteriorating school buildings.
Villagers complained that the condition of many school buildings had become hazardous, but no action was taken despite repeated complaints.
According to a recent government survey, about 2,256 schools in Rajasthan were found to be in a dilapidated state. Additionally, water structures, electrical fittings, and other infrastructure were found faulty in around 49,000 schools.
The state government had allocated ₹250 crore in this year's budget for the repair of 750 schools. In the wake of the Jhalawar incident, Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma has ordered the inspection of schools, hospitals, and other public buildings and demanded a report within five days.
Meanwhile, the last rites of the seven deceased children were performed with deep grief and sorrow on Saturday morning in their village. The state government has announced an ex-gratia of ₹10 lakh and a contractual job for one member of each bereaved family.
