Lokayukta registers suo motu case over school ceiling collapse in Bagalkot

The Lokayukta has registered a suo motu case over the collapse of a concrete ceiling at a government primary school in Mugalolli Tanda, Bagalkot district, during class hours, in which six students were injured.

According to the Lokayukta, the school building was reportedly already in a dilapidated condition, and parents had earlier expressed concerns over the safety of the structure. The ceiling collapsed while classes were in progress, injuring six students. The children were shifted to a hospital for treatment, and their injuries were reported to be minor. All six students are said to be safe.

Taking serious note of the incident, the Lokayukta has directed its police wing to conduct random inspections of government primary schools across Bagalkot district and submit a comprehensive report on the condition of school buildings.

The Education Department has also been directed to conduct a safety audit of every school in the district. The audit will cover the structural condition of buildings, student safety, basic infrastructure, cleanliness and hygiene, playgrounds, compound walls, toilets and the availability of safe drinking water, among other facilities.

The Lokayukta has directed that classes must not be conducted in any portion of a school building identified as unsafe. Until the structure is certified safe for use, arrangements must be made to conduct classes at an alternative location. A qualified engineer has also been directed to carry out a structural safety assessment of the entire school building and submit a report.

As part of the suo motu proceedings, officials have been asked to submit details regarding the exact date and circumstances of the ceiling collapse, the number of students present in the classroom, particulars of the six injured students, the nature of their injuries, and the treatment provided.

Officials from the State Education Department, Dharwad Division, Bagalkot District Administration, Zilla Panchayat, Education Department and the Panchayat Raj Engineering Department, along with the headmaster of Mugalolli Tanda Government Primary School, have been issued notices in connection with the case.