Date:09/06/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/06/09/stories/2005060905430600.htm

Tamil Nadu

3 months for schools to adopt safety standards

Special Correspondent

Non-compliance will invite strict action Replacing thatched structures with non-flammable material and ensuring the stability of buildings were among the requirements.

CHENNAI: The State Government on Wednesday decided to give three months to the managements of nursery and primary schools to comply with the stability and safety requirements. This was to "obviate any hardship and dislocation to the children and parents."

Recalling that the safety steps were reviewed by district Collectors after the July 2004 Kumbakonam fire tragedy, the Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa, in a statement said adequate time had been given to schools to comply with the requirements.

Replacing thatched structures with non-flammable material and ensuring the stability of buildings were among the requirements that schools had to meet.

"The managements of these institutions have been specifically informed once again in April 2005, to strictly ensure compliance and obtain necessary approval before school reopening," the Chief Minister said adding that despite this, some educational institutions had not taken steps.

"Some of the nursery and primary schools have not even filed applications on the stability of the buildings and safety of the children. Ignoring such regulations will seriously compromise the safety of the children who are admitted in these schools. This is totally unacceptable," she said.

The Chief Minister said most of the institutions had now realised the importance of complying with the regulations and they were taking "concrete action." She said she expected the managements of the schools to comply with the regulations and obtain the approval by end August.

"The schools which do not comply with the regulations within this time limit will have to face strict action."

Interim stay

Madurai Staff Reporter writes:

Following the State Government's submission on Wednesday that it would grant time till August 31 for all unauthorised nursery and primary schools to rectify shortcomings, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court granted an interim stay till June 20 in favour of more than 20 schools from the southern districts.

Schools from Madurai, Theni, Karur, Ramanathapuram, Tuticorin, Sivaganga, Virudhunagar and Tirunelveli districts had filed individual petitions praying for an interim injunction against closing their schools or a stay of the operation.