Delhi schools directed to cover all underground tanks

Schools under the South Delhi Municipal Corporation have been directed to ensure that all underground water tanks, septic tanks and any other pit found unsafe and dangerous should be covered with strong iron lids with locking system and warning sign boards.

The corporation has said that the school authorities have not been following safety norms properly, which is a violation of the existing norms. It has also directed school heads of all 579 MCD schools to follow the instructions and report on a daily basis.

The corporation’s action came following the death of a five-year-old boy who recently fell inside an open septic tank in his school in south-west Delhi. The SDMC is leaving no stone unturned to prevent any untoward incident and ensuring due safety and security within its schools.

A senior officer said if school authorities fail to adhere to the norms, stringent action would be initiated against them.

The circular also states that all electric fittings and allied items should be kept in safe operation mode and exposing such items in open should be avoided. It said: “If some constr-uction/repair/maintenance work is going on in the school premises, adequate steps should be taken to ensure the safety and security of the students. Construction sides should be demarcated and barricaded to bar the entry of students in construction zones.”

The SDMC said that cracks in the walls, ceilings and boundary wall, moist walls and ceilings, clinking fans, suspended lights, equipment at children parks such as see-saws, swings and slides should not be found faulty/damaged and must be repaired/replaced if tempered.

The corporation also said that students must be sensitised about road safety disaster management, sanitation and personal hygiene, epidemic, etc. Also, in the morning sessions, charts for safety measures should be displayed in all classrooms. The students should not have easy access to the open roofs of the schools and the doors should be properly locked to prevent them from climbing onto the roofs to avoid mishaps.

The corporation has also directed authorities to ensure secure safe drinking water facilities at every school and sanitation condition of premises particularly toilet areas, drinking water area, store area and mid-day-meal store area, etc. should be supervised daily to maintain cleanliness. No student should be allowed to go out of the school during school hours and entry/exit registers should be maintained properly.