Rajasthan High Court takes suo motu note of school ceiling collapse

The Rajasthan High Court on Monday took suo motu cognisance of a tragic incident that occurred on July 25, when a classroom ceiling and wall at a government school in Banswara collapsed, leading to the death of seven children [Suo Motu: In the matter of Safety and well-being of school going children. v. Union of India and ors]..A Bench of Justice Anoop Kumar Dhand called for urgent reforms and stronger investment in school infrastructure to uphold the right to safe, quality, and inclusive education for every child."The Government has made efforts to improve the educational landscape in the States, but still major infrastructural and systematic gaps persist. Addressing these challenges requires dedicated investment in school infrastructure and regular monitoring to promote the importance of education for every child. Only with such a comprehensive approach, the State can ensure that every child, regardless of location or gender, has access to safe, inclusive and high quality education," he said. .On July 25, the ceiling and wall of a classroom at a Government Upper Primary School in Village Piplodi, District Banswara, collapsed, resulting in the death of seven children, including two siblings.Several other students sustained severe injuries and are currently fighting for their lives in the hospital.The Court expressed shock over the incident and went on to observe that a report from the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) on ‘Safe and Secure Environment’ for children also raised serious concerns about school infrastructure nationwide. A survey across 12 States, including Rajasthan, found that 22 per cent of operational school buildings were dilapidated and 31 per cent had structural cracks, endangering children's safety."Schools are critical institutions, entrusted with the responsibility of shaping the citizens of tomorrow. A safe and secure environment is a prerequisite for effective teaching and learning. Thus, ensuring the safety of children, teachers and staff members during disasters is necessary and imperative. Prioritizing children’s safety not only safeguards their well-being but also reinforces the role of schools as secure shelters, enabling them to serve a dual purpose as evacuation centers during emergencies," the Court remarked. .The Court further noted that according to the NCPCR report, 32 per cent of schools do not have an electricity connection, forcing children to study under extreme heat conditions. Another issue flagged by the Court was the lack of access to sanitary pads in schools."The lack of access to free sanitary pads in schools significantly affects girls’ health, well-being and education. Without proper menstrual hygiene products, many girls experience discomfort, a higher risk of infection, and increased absenteeism. The absence of separate girls’ toilets coupled with non-availability of free sanitary pads, hampers their academic performance and limits their future opportunities," the Court noted.Moreover, the Court also noted that there were serious reforms needed to ensure uniform and adequate access to toilet facilities, drinking water and proper library facilities. It observed that students with disabilities face challenges in getting accessibility features at schools. Moreover, the Court flagged concern that extracurricular activities are often neglected in schools. "The issue is not limited to government schools. Private schools, too, have been found lacking in essential infrastructure. Over 40,000 private schools in the state were fined for failing to provide facilities accessible to students with disabilities, highlighting non-compliance with basic inclusivity standards. Additionally, sports and physical education are widely neglected. Surveys show that half of the schools do not offer compulsory physical education, and many lack proper sports equipment and dedicated time slots for physical activity, which is crucial for overall student development," the Court added..The Court emphasized that ensuring school safety is a constitutional duty under Article 21-A. of the Constitution of India. "School infrastructure plays a pivotal role in creating a conducive learning environment and inadequacies in this sphere can severely affect the student’s retention and academic performance. Despite being the largest state in India, Rajasthan continues to struggle with low literacy rates, especially among females," the Court lamented.The Court said that all of this pointed to an urgent need for systemic reforms and enhanced investment in government school infrastructure to ensure students’ overall development and equal access to quality education across rural and urban India.The Court thus directed the Union of India and the State government to take immediate corrective measures. These included conducting safety audits of all schools, ensuring basic infrastructure (toilets, sanitary napkins, electricity, libraries etc.), providing compensation and treatment for students affected by the school ceiling collapse in Banswara, installing sanitary pad vending machines, establishing online grievance platforms, holding negligent officials accountable, and creating district-level monitoring committees.The matter will be heard next on August 1, 2025, and the authorities have been directed to submit a compliance report by then..[Read Order].Follow Bar and Bench channel on WhatsAppDownload the Bar and Bench Mobile app for instant access to the latest legal news.