Balussery: Negotiating the entrance of Government Higher Secondary School, Kokkalloor, without slipping and injuring oneself seems to require nothing short of sheer luck. Teachers have toppled off motorcycles and students have ended up with broken limbs and teeth after falls.

The culprit is a grill installed over the drain following road restoration work. Intended to channel water from the ground to the drain, it was not constructed using the standard pipe design meant for such purposes. Instead, the current design makes it dangerously slippery.

The grill is especially impractical on an uneven surface. Made from rods shaped like sword edges and lacking any grip, it becomes treacherously slick when wet. Even in dry weather, crossing it requires careful balancing. Many teachers have taken a tumble after their motorcycle tyres skidded over it.

This unsafe and unscientific structure has been placed right in front of a school that accommodates over 2,600 students. Parents argue that injuries could have been prevented had road supervision officials been more vigilant. Public anger is mounting over the authorities’ negligence and the contractor’s irresponsibility.

Parents, students and visitors alike have fallen victim to the hazard. For a school that regularly hosts public events, simply entering without a mishap has turned into a risky challenge. Immediate action is being demanded to fix the problem before further accidents occur.