Daltonganj: The Palamu administration has launched an infrastructure audit of govt schools following reports of unsafe classrooms, falling plaster from ceilings, damaged doors and windows, roof leakages and other structural risks that could endanger students.In the first phase of the exercise, district education officer (DEO) Sandeep Kumar, acting on the directions of deputy commissioner Dilip Pratap Singh Shekhawat, inspected Project Ramkeshwar High School at Kundri on Friday. The school has around 300 students enrolled in classes IX and X.Kumar told TOI on Saturday that the campus has three separate buildings, all of which are in extremely poor condition. “The buildings have already been declared condemned.
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A junior engineer has been asked to prepare estimates for dismantling the structures as well as for construction of new buildings,” he said.The DEO also directed that separate toilets for boys and girls be equipped with adequate water supply and hygiene facilities.Highlighting another concern, Kumar said the school lacks a lightning conductor despite Palamu being highly vulnerable to lightning strikes. Instructions have been issued for installation of an anti-lightning system on the campus.The six-room main building also requires urgent attention. “The structure is in a state of disrepair. It needs strengthening from the roof to the floor, and seepage is a major issue,” Kumar said.He further suggested development of a small herbal garden on the campus and ordered clearance of overgrown shrubs and bushes from the playground.In-charge headmaster Rajan Kumar said the school receives Rs 75,000 annually for renovation works, but extensive damage to roofs, walls and floors calls for fresh construction.Sources said the audit will focus on govt schools suffering from severe infrastructure deficiencies. Palamu has more than 2,600 govt schools.
DEO Sandeep Kumar inspects the school in Kundri
