A Class 1 student died and two others were injured when the main gate of a school and the column holding it fell on them in Jaisalmer on Monday afternoon, officials said.
The incident took place at the Government Girls’ Senior Secondary School in Poonamnagar village after classes ended for the day at around 1 pm Monday. The student who died has been identified as Arbaaz Khan. According to officials, he had come there from his school and was waiting for his sister. Another student, Priya, and teacher Ashok Kumar Soni sustained injuries.
Following Arbaaz’s death, his relatives protested outside the school.
Education Minister Madan Dilawar said that after classes, Arbaaz had gone to his sister’s school and was waiting for her when the incident happened. “When he entered the gate, its pillar suddenly fell and killed him on the spot. The teacher who sustained severe injuries in his leg is undergoing treatment. It is a very sad incident…,” Dilawar said.
He said that instructions have already been issued to Education officers to prevent a repeat of the incident. “I repeat, this is the monsoon season and many places are witnessing heavy rainfall. Hence, there is a need to exercise extreme caution,” he said.
The incident comes three days after the collapse of a roof in a Jhalawar school on Friday morning left seven students dead and around three dozen injured.
Expressing his condolences to the child’s family, former chief minister Ashok Gehlot said, “The death of an innocent student due to the collapse of a school gate in Jaisalmer is extremely tragic. After the Jhalawar tragedy, the recurrence of a student’s death in this manner should be a matter of concern for the state government. The rainy season is currently ongoing. I urge Chief Minister Bhajan Lal ji to take swift action so that no other innocent life is lost.”
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In the aftermath of the Jhalawar tragedy, the Union Education Ministry had written to the Chief Secretaries of all states and Union Territories, directing them to undertake a safety audit of all schools.
“All schools and public facilities used by children and youth must undergo safety audits in accordance with national safety codes and disaster management guidelines. Structural integrity, along with fire safety, emergency exits, and electrical wiring, must be thoroughly assessed,” the ministry had said.
The Rajasthan government, too, has announced various measures aimed at avoiding a repeat of the Jhalawar incident, including the constitution of special committees to review the safety of government schools, colleges, government buildings, roads, and so on. It is also tasked with ensuring that repair work is completed before June 15 each year.
