Jharkhand: Palamu launches infrastructure audit of govt schools amid safety concerns
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK Daltonganj, July 26: The Palamu district administration has launched a comprehensive infrastructure audit of government schools to identify…
District Education Officer Sandeep Kumar inspects the damaged ceiling of Project Ramkeshwar Uchch Vidyalaya at Kundri in Palamu district.
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Daltonganj, July 26: The Palamu district administration has launched a comprehensive infrastructure audit of government schools to identify unsafe buildings and improve learning conditions, following reports of dilapidated classrooms, damaged roofs, wall seepage and other structural hazards posing risks to students.
The initiative, undertaken on the directions of Deputy Commissioner Dilip Pratap Singh Shekhawat, aims to assess schools suffering from severe infrastructure deficiencies and prepare plans for repair, reconstruction and safety upgrades.
Audit Begins with Kundri Government School
As part of the first phase of the audit, District Education Officer (DEO) Sandeep Kumar inspected Project Ramkeshwar Uchch Vidyalaya, Kundri, on Friday. The school has around 300 students enrolled in Classes IX and X.
Speaking to The Jharkhand Story, Kumar said the campus has three separate buildings, all of which have been declared condemned due to their poor structural condition.
“The buildings are in the worst condition and have already been declared unsafe. The Junior Engineer has been asked to prepare estimates for dismantling the condemned structures and constructing new buildings in their place,” he said.
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Repairs, Toilets and Safety Measures Planned
The DEO said the school’s six-room main building also requires extensive restoration.
“The building is in a state of disrepair. From the roof to the flooring, almost every part requires strengthening. Water seepage has severely affected the structure,” he said.
He added that the boys’ and girls’ toilets would be upgraded with proper water supply and hygiene facilities.
Considering Palamu’s vulnerability to lightning strikes, the administration has also directed the installation of a lightning protection system at the school, which currently lacks one.
Campus Beautification Also on Agenda
Besides structural repairs, the administration has proposed improvements to the school campus.
The DEO suggested developing a herbal garden within the premises, while directing officials to clear bushes and overgrown shrubs from the playground to make it suitable for sports and other student activities.
Only Unsafe Schools to Be Audited Initially
Official sources said Palamu has more than 2,600 government schools, but the ongoing audit will initially focus on institutions facing serious infrastructure-related problems that pose safety risks to students and staff.
The findings of the audit are expected to help the district administration prioritise reconstruction and repair works.
Headmaster Flags Lack of Teachers
In-charge Headmaster Rajan Kumar said the school receives ₹75,000 annually for renovation, but the amount is insufficient given the extensive deterioration of the buildings.
“The roofs, walls and floors have suffered extensive damage. What the school needs is not routine maintenance but new concrete structures,” he said.
He also highlighted a severe shortage of teachers, stating that the school has been functioning without Mathematics and Science teachers for the past three years. According to school sources, the staff shortage has affected academic performance, with the matriculation examination recording a 25–30% failure rate in recent years.
