Hyderabad: The Ministry of Education has directed all the States and Union Territories (UTs) to ensure structural safety of school buildings apart from urgent identification of unsafe and dilapidated school buildings through safety audits. This would be followed by demolition, if required or repair of structurally unsafe structures, and prohibition of use, until certified safe. Authorities were advised to arrange temporary schooling where needed, gainfully use the space created due to demolition, ensure regular monitoring and reporting, and ensure safety and structural fitness compliance certification for any re-occupancy. As highlighted in the Department of School Education and Literacy’s “Guidelines on School Safety and Security – 2021” as well as the National Disaster Management Guidelines on School Safety (NDMA, 2016), the structural integrity of school buildings is fundamental to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all children and staff. This was stated by the Ministry of Education, Department of School Education and Literacy, Joint Secretary, Archana Sharma Awasthi in a letter addressed to all Secretary of Ministry of Education, Chief Secretary of all States and UTs for necessary action and Heads of KVS, NVS, CBSE, and NCERT a few days ago for similar action. The Joint Secretary urged to take the urgent and comprehensive actions to ensure the safety of children and all school stakeholders: All the State States and UTs must undertake an immediate assessment of all government, government-aided and private school buildings, focusing on identification of not-in-use dilapidated school structures through safety audits as per national guidelines. Wherever any school building or part thereof is found to be unsafe or in violation of structural safety standards, prompt steps must be taken for its immediate repair, retrofitting or, if necessary, demolition to prevent any risk to children, staff, or other community members. Schools found with unsafe structures should not be used for conduct of classes under any circumstances until they are certified as safe by competent authorities. The space after demolition can be planned to be gainfully used for various activities of school like playground, poshan vatika, vocational skill, etc. In cases where demolition or major repairs are being undertaken, the States and UTs may arrange for temporary safe alternative premises to ensure continuity of education. The District Education Officer and local authorities must regularly monitor the progress of such repairs or demolitions, and submit monthly reports to the State department as well as to the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) and District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) concerned. Fresh occupancy, use of repaired and newly constructed school buildings must only be permitted after obtaining the necessary safety or structural fitness certification from a qualified engineer or authority as mandated by guidelines. The Joint Secretary sought urgent intervention to instruct the field and engineering agencies concerned to strictly enforce the measures and avoid any further injuries and loss of life due to preventable infrastructure failures. This initiative should be given highest priority at all levels, and non-compliance may attract action under relevant provisions. Union Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan said the Ministry has issued a latest directive on July 26, 2025 to all States and UTs to take urgent steps to ensure the student safety and well-being. This refers to the “Guidelines on School Safety and Security” (2021) and the National Disaster Management Guidelines on School Safety (NDMA, 2016) issued on February 27, 2017 and includes safety audits of schools and child-related facilities as per national safety codes, training for staff and students in emergency preparedness, and the provision of psychosocial support through counselling and peer networks. The Ministry has urged Education Departments, School Boards, and affiliated authorities to act without delay in implementing these measures. The Minister said this while replying to a question on safety audit of schools posed by MP Dr. Alok Kumar Suman in Lok Sabha on Monday.
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