After classroom roof collapse, teachers demand safety on premises

The Delhi government school teachers’ association plans to meet education minister Manish Sisodia to press their demand for safety inside school premises.

Two days after a teacher of a Delhi government school sustained multiple injuries after a part of the classroom roof collapsed on her, the government school teachers’ association (GSTA) has decided to write to education minister Manish Sisodia, demanding their safety inside the school premises.

File photograph of Govt Boys Senior Secondary School in Delhi’s Sangam Vihar. (HT FILE PHOTO)

GSTA secretary Ajay Vir Singh said, “We are going to meet Sisodia on Tuesday and personally submit our demands. We cannot put teachers’ lives at stake.”

Last Wednesday, Sanskrit teacher Mamta Sharma was taking a class at Sarvodaya Kanya Vidyalaya in west Delhi’s Hari Nagar when a part of the roof collapsed. “She sustained injuries to her head, face, shoulder and wrists. She had to get more than 50 stitches. She is being treated at a private hospital. The government should reimburse her medical bills,” GSTA (west) secretary Santram said.

According to teachers at the school, some parts of the roof of the classroom were repaired recently. Only the part that fell on her was not. “The school building is 50 years old and needs to be repaired. We have raised concerns with the Directorate of Education (DoE) several times,” said a teacher, requesting anonymity.

The principal of the school, Vinita Agrawal, refused comment. DoE officials, too, refused comment, saying they are yet to inquire into the matter.

Meanwhile, teachers said they want regular inspections of buildings by the PWD.