NHRC seeks report on dilapidated government primary school roof

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken cognizance of a media report on the condition of a government primary school in Kiratpur village of Darbhanga district in Bihar. Three or four months ago, a main pillar of the school collapsed and the roof has been temporarily supported with wooden benches, desks and bricks.

The commission has issued a notice to the Darbhanga district magistrate, seeking a detailed report on the matter within two weeks. The situation is dangerous for the safety of 191 students and staff members of the school and raises serious issues of violations of human rights, requiring immediate intervention by the administration, the report said.

In a report by Hindustan Times, they mentioned the two-room building was founded in 1983 under the Centre’s ‘Operation Blackboard’ programme. More than four decades later, its roof leaks during rain, several beams and pillars are in a dilapidated condition, plaster has fallen off at several places and a lot of reinforcement bars are exposed.

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Building structural flaws

The structure has developed several severe structural problems over four decades of operation. These issues include a leaking roof during rains, damaged beams and pillars in a dilapidated condition, fallen plaster, and exposed reinforcement bars. 

Assistant teacher Pawan Kumar Choudhary told HT “After the pillar collapsed, benches and desks were used to support the roof. The danger remains.” He also added that the education department and local officials had been informed multiple times about the building’s condition, and villagers had previously staged protests seeking a permanent solution. Headmaster Rajendra Kumar also confirmed to HT, that written communications had been sent to block and district level officials.

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Official Response

According to a detailed report from HT, although classes are not currently held beneath the portion supported by the makeshift arrangement, students and teachers continue to pass through the vulnerable area daily. Darbhanga district education officer Vidyanand Thakur subsequently also told HT, “steps had already been initiated for construction of a new building and that the existing structure had been declared unsafe”. He also added,”no teaching activity was being conducted in the old building”.