The Hans India: Hyderabad: Tuesday, July 25, 2017.
Private
schools nowadays are offering various opportunities for students to flourish
besides academics but, the safety of children is in jeopardy as many private schools
are not equipped with fire safety measures under the Greater Hyderabad
Municipal Corporation (GHMC) limits.
In 2016, out
of 500 educational institutions, only 29 in Qutbullapur Circle, Balanagar
mandal and Kukatpally circle adhered to fire safety standards prescribed by the
government, according to a Right to Information (RTI) reply.
According to
RTI information, for the past seven years in Qutbullapur Circle, Balanagar
mandal and Kukatpally circle only four schools in 2010, 35 schools in 2011, 30
schools in 2012, 19 schools in 2013, 14 schools in 2014, 31 schools in 2015 and
only 29 schools in 2016 got the No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the
District Fire Officer, GHMC, Hyderabad.
Before granting permission, the education department officials should
make sure that the school building is well equipped with all safety
measures. If it is not as per the rules
framed by the education department then they cannot permit the establishment of
school.
An RTI query
by Hanamakonda Upendra Chary, who said, “District Fire Officer named very few
schools but, did not provide information on schools that do not have fire
safety measures.”
Achyuta Rao,
honorary president, Balala Hakkula Sangham (Child Rights Association) said
managing education department has become easy nowadays as anyone can operate
after accepting bribes. The best example, is the recent case of a DEO being
charged with corruption.
Further, he
suggested, “To make sure all the safety and security measures in the schools
are followed, there should be a single window system and permission should be
granted only when all the measures are followed.”
Naresh,
Students Federation of India (SFI), Medchal district president said, schools not
having NOC means putting thousands of children’s lives in danger. It is the
duty of the education department to check for these measures before giving the
permission, he said.
Speaking to
The Hans India Usha Rani, District Education Officer, Medchal said around 200
government and 500 private schools are running in Qutbullapur, Balanagar and
Kukatpally circle. We will soon gather
information on the schools which do not have NOC.