PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE /Dehradun
Acting on directions of chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to ensure the safety of school children, the Dehradun district administration has stepped up action for the demolition of 76 dilapidated school buildings found unfit across the district.
Stressing that there will be no compromise with the safety of school children, district magistrate Savin Bansal said, “The demolition process will start after proper alternative arrangements are made for the students of the identified schools”. Many school buildings in the district have remained in a damaged condition for many years, creating a serious risk for students and teachers.
Following the DM’s strict instructions, the report containing details of 100 damaged school buildings was submitted within 10 days. On the basis of the full report and list submitted by the Education department, 79 school buildings have been declared completely unfit for use. These include 13 secondary schools and 66 primary schools. In addition, 17 school buildings have been found partially unfit, while eight buildings do not require demolition. To carry out the demolition work and ensure safety measures, the administration has approved a budget of Rs one crore.
Bansal stated that classes will not be allowed to run in any unsafe building. Alternative arrangements for teaching have already been made in 63 schools to ensure that student’s education is not affected. For the remaining 16 schools, the administration has issued clear instructions to arrange temporary classrooms or shift students to nearby safe buildings at the earliest.
Fully unfit school buildings will be demolished as soon as alternative arrangements are in place. In schools where buildings are partially damaged, repairs will be carried out and safety restrictions will be strictly enforced. The Public Works Department has been directed to prepare estimates and complete the work within a fixed time frame.
Bansal emphasised that the safety of children is the top priority of the district administration. He assured that the entire process will be carried out in a transparent, time-bound and responsible manner, so that no child is forced to study in a risky or unsafe environment.
