In a stern rebuke to the apparent disregard for child safety in schools, the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court on Friday expressed significant displeasure at the state’s failure to inspect schools for structural and safety standards, a lapse spanning over 14 years. This lack of oversight came despite clear guidelines from the Supreme Court issued back in 2009.
During the hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by residents along the Gomti River Bank in 2020, Justices Alok Mathur and Brijraj Singh of the division bench demanded the minutes of the meetings held by the National Disaster Management Authority over the past two years. The court hinted at stringent measures if it finds the Authority’s compliance lacking regarding the Supreme Court’s mandates on school safety.
The PIL highlights concerns about schools operating in residential areas without adequate safety measures. The state government, complying with a previous court directive, reported that Uttar Pradesh has about 141,000 schools, with a complete safety inspection expected to take about eight months. An action plan involving civil engineers, fire fighting experts, road transport authorities, and education officials has been drafted to assess and enhance the structural safety and emergency preparedness of these institutions.
Further emphasizing the importance of these inspections, the court ordered that all evaluations be recorded via videography to ensure transparency and accountability. Additionally, the court discussed compliance issues related to the transportation of young students, referencing a specific order for schools around Hazratganj and Raj Bhavan to provide internal pick-up and drop-off facilities for children up to class 5, which has been largely ignored.
