The Haryana Human Rights Commission (HHRC) has sought a comprehensive assessment of the safety of government school infrastructure across the state taking note of death of an 11-year-old boy who was killed when a brick-and-concrete arch of the main entrance gate of a government school in Sonepat district collapsed on him on August 6.
The victim, Yash Kumar, a Class 6 student of a neighbouring government school in Bega village, was near the Garhi Bilinda school on August 6 when its entrance arch reportedly collapsed. Taking suo motu cognisance of the incident, the commission raised questions about whether authorities had prior information about the allegedly dilapidated condition of Government Primary School, Garhi Bilinda, in Ganaur, and, if so, why timely corrective action was not taken. Yash was trapped under the debris and later succumbed to his injuries at a hospital.
The school watchman was attempting to remove grass and creepers growing over the arch when he pulled them, following which the brick structure attached to the main gate/pillar suddenly gave way, according to the order.
The HHRC described the matter as particularly serious, observing that “school infrastructure is not merely a matter of administrative convenience but is intrinsically connected with the protection of the life, dignity and safety of children.
“A failure to identify and rectify hazardous structures within a school premises may expose children to avoidable and foreseeable risks”, reads the order.
The commission noted reports of cracks in the school walls, roof leakage and other structural deficiencies, besides allegations that villagers and the gram panchayat had earlier approached authorities seeking repairs. The panel has linked the tragedy to its earlier suo motu case concerning dilapidated government school buildings in Hisar, in which it had sought information on unsafe schools across the state and the preventive measures being taken by authorities.
