Kids study under caving roofs in Bhopal

BHOPAL: First spell of monsoon exposed the shocking unpreparedness of the state government. Not just civic infrastructure, but 125 schools in the capital are dilapidated and fate of more than 1,500 children hangs in balance.
According to office of district project coordinator (DPC), there’s a proposal for repairing only 41 decrepit schools. Collapse of the boundary wall of Samrat Ashoka Middle School in TT Nagar on Monday is a rude awakening of what’s in store.Joint director (education) DS Kushwaha shot off a missive to the PWD department about the sorry state of affairs.
“The situation is serious. We have asked PWD to carry out repair works immediately. Also, report of other dilapidated schools has been sought from district education officer (DEO) within a week,” he said.
Sources said PWD constructed the boundary wall two years ago, but it couldn’t withstand even a single shower. Ironically, Kushwaha’s office is in the same premises.
Former district education officer (DEO) KPS Tomar said no proposal for repair was received from Samrat Ashoka School during summer when principals of all schools were told to submit maintenance work requirements.
Of 125 schools, PWD declared around 20 buildings unsafe. These include Rashidia School and Nirmal Meera School where more than 800 students study. Similar is the condition of Model Shahjehanabad Middle School where rains last year forced school to shut down for a fortnight.
In rural areas of the district, there are around 85 such schools that require maintenance and urgent repair. In Berasia and Phanda blocks (urban) there are 25 schools that are unfit for classes.
Sources in district project coordinator office said proposal for repair of 41 schools has been sent to the Rajya Shiksha Kendra for approval.
PAST INSTANCES IN MP
March 2, 2015: Roof of room collapsed of middle school in Patera block, Damoh. Nobody was present, no casualties
Sept 20, 2014: Portion of building of Putri Chua primary school in Majhgawan block, Satna, collapsed. 29 students present in school. No injuries as classes were being held outside
Sept 5, 2014: Roof of 200-year old government higher secondary school in Janakganj, Gwalior, collapsed ahead of live telecast of PM Narendra Modi's address on Teacher's Day
July 13, 2013: Portion of roof of Beyoharbag Government School, Jabalpur, collapsed during school hours. No casualties
Dec 8, 2012: Fifteen schoolchildren injured, nine of them seriously, when the wall and roof of Vashnavi Public School at Naurojabad in Umaria collapsed
Dec 1, 2012: Portion of rear boundary wall of Government Girls’ Higher Secondary School, Barkhedi (behind Rashidia School), in Jehangirabad, Bhopal, collapsed. No casualties
Aug 14, 2012: Eight students injured, two critically, after roof of government school collapsed on them in Katni at a primary school in Ganiyari village of Dhimarkheda block
July, 2012: State commission for protection of child rights raised concern over condition of Nirmal Meera School near Chirayu Hospital, Bhopal, during inspection. In 2009, eaves of roof collapsed, injuring students