Thiruvananthapuram: The Local Self Government Department (LSGD) has found that around 100 buildings in government schools across the state are structurally unfit and need to be dismantled. This number is expected to rise further as inspections by the LSGD’s engineering wing progress.

Most of the buildings identified as unsafe are tiled-roof structures constructed before the Kerala Building Rules came into effect in 2007. The inspections are being conducted in view of the electrocution of a student at an aided school in Thevalakkara, Kollam, and the collapse of a roof at the Government UP School in Karunagappally, Alappuzha. The responsibility and cost of demolishing unsafe school buildings lie with the respective local bodies. In the case of aided schools, the responsibility lies with the school management.

Once the engineering wing completes its survey of a school and submits its report, the school headmaster or principal is expected to auction the demolition work. However, prior approval must be obtained from the Department of Education and the administrative council of the respective local body before any government school building is dismantled. If the building in question has been used as a polling booth, clearance from the District Collector is also mandatory.

A high-level meeting of the LSGD’s engineering wing has noted delays in demolishing unsafe buildings, often due to pressure from local stakeholders. In many cases, efforts are being made to sidestep safety evaluations by carrying out minor repair works or converting old buildings into storerooms and ancillary spaces.

Assistant Engineer in Thevalakkara to face action
A show-cause notice will be served to the Panchayat’s Assistant Engineer, who issued the fitness certificate for the Thevalakkara school, where a student recently died of electrocution. Acting on a report from the LSGD, Minister M B Rajesh has directed action in the matter.

The school was issued a fitness certificate on May 29. Incidentally, the same report also noted that the school’s bicycle shed was unauthorised and that an overhead power line was passing directly above it.