Parent flags safety concerns over basement classroom at Noida school

A parent has raised safety concerns over the use of a basement as classrooms at Bal Bharati Public School in Sector 21, Noida, alleging that the “makeshift classroom” has no windows and flouts mandatory fire safety arrangements

A parent has raised safety concerns over the use of a basement as classrooms at Bal Bharati Public School in Sector 21, Noida, alleging that the “makeshift classroom” has no windows and flouts mandatory fire safety arrangements.

The complaint also alleged that the air conditioners in the classroom are rarely functional and lack an emergency exit. The four-storey building houses classes 1 to 12.

Raising the issue, the father of a Class 8 student studying at the private school registered a complaint on the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) portal on August 1.

“I am writing to report a severe safety hazard at a school in Sector 21, Noida, where my daughter studies. Running middle-school classes in an unventilated basement violates the National Building Code (NBC), fire safety norms and CBSE affiliation guidelines, posing severe risks of heatstroke and fire hazards,” the complaint, seen by HT, stated.

The complaint also alleged that the air conditioners in the classroom are rarely functional and lack an emergency exit. The four-storey building houses classes 1 to 12.

According to the student, classes have always been conducted in the basement. Earlier, Class 6 students were taught there, and later, Class 8 students were shifted to the basement classrooms.

Speaking to HT, the father said he had approached the school authorities but did not receive a response. “I went to the school during a parent-teacher meeting and was drenched in sweat. I wondered how a child could sit there for six or seven hours. We are paying such high fees; this is not how we should be treated,” he said.

According to his daughter, there are two classrooms, both for Class 8, in the basement, with around 40 students in each.

“The classrooms have shutter-style doors, but they don’t open fully. Sometimes, if you close them, they won’t open again,” she said. She further alleged that outdoor units of air conditioners are located right next to the classrooms, making the area even hotter.

In a letter issued to the school on Friday, the DIOS sought a response within three days, asking it to explain why classes were being conducted in the basement. The letter stated that if the school’s explanation was not received within the stipulated period, the school would be responsible for any action taken against it.

Chandra Shekhar, DIOS, said, “We are looking into the matter. We have sought a response from the school. Beyond that, we have also asked the Noida authority to inspect the building.”

HT contacted planning department of the Noida authority but did not receive a response by the time of going to print.

Notably, on June 23, the school issued a circular, seen by HT, seeking an additional ₹500 per month from students in classrooms where air conditioners were installed.

HT reached out to the school’s principal office and the school’s reception, but did not receive a response by the time of going to print.