Rajasthan High Court Demands Concrete Action on Unsafe School Buildings
In a stern move addressing the precarious state of government school infrastructure, a division bench of the Rajasthan High Court on Thursday issued a directive to the state's chief secretary. The court ordered the filing of a comprehensive affidavit that outlines a detailed roadmap for the construction and repair of dilapidated school buildings across Rajasthan, alongside stringent safety compliance measures.
Court Expresses Grave Concern Over Repeated Incidents
The bench, comprising Justice Mahendra Goyal and Justice Ashok Kumar Jain, voiced serious alarm over multiple reports of building and roof collapses in districts such as Bundi, Rajsamand, and Bharatpur. These incidents have occurred since the Jhalawar school tragedy in July of last year, which prompted the court to take up the matter through a suo motu Public Interest Litigation (PIL).
During the hearing, Justice Jain sharply questioned Advocate General Rajendra Prasad, highlighting that despite previous assurances, only four to five school buildings had seen repair work begin in several months. "The present situation is an eyewash. Some concrete steps need to be taken to keep the children safe," the bench remarked, underscoring the urgency of the issue.
Proposals for Structural Safety and Funding Scrutiny
The court proposed stringent measures to ensure student safety, including the potential appointment of a chartered engineer to certify schools. "Why should we not appoint a chartered engineer so that from July 1 only those schools certified by such an expert are allowed to function, while repair work continues in the remaining buildings?" the bench observed.
According to an additional affidavit submitted by the education secretary, nearly ₹20,000 crore is required for the construction and repairs of unsafe school buildings, with only ₹1,624 crore currently sanctioned. The state government also indicated that ₹1,000 crore is proposed for the 2026–27 fiscal year for these purposes.
However, the court dismissed this allocation as "peanuts" compared to the actual need. It referenced submissions by the amicus curiae, which pointed to judicial precedents stating that the court's role is not to examine fund arrangements but to hold the government accountable. "The obligation to ensure safety and infrastructure lies squarely with the govt," the court emphasized.
Specific Safety Guidelines and Future Directions
When the advocate general cited procedural delays and time-consuming structural audits, the bench reiterated the state's constitutional duty to provide safe educational environments without endangering children's lives. The court further questioned whether any existing school buildings were constructed in strict adherence to safety guidelines and suggested that no government school should operate without a mandatory structural safety certificate.
Additional safety proposals included:
- Limiting government school buildings to a maximum of two floors.
- Ensuring pre-primary classes are conducted only on the ground floor.
- Implementing proper fencing and protective measures across all facilities.
The matter has been scheduled for further hearing on March 19, as the court continues to monitor the state's compliance and progress in addressing this critical public safety concern.
