**Executive Summary**
The document addresses a Lok Sabha Starred Question (No. 10) regarding the dilapidated condition of government school buildings, particularly in Rajasthan. It outlines the Ministry of Education's directives to States/UTs to ensure student safety, structural integrity of school buildings, and repair/reconstruction efforts. The response references directives issued on July 26, 2025, and August 7, 2025, focusing on safety audits, emergency preparedness, and structural assessments.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Context and Question:**
* Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 10 addresses concerns about the dilapidated condition of over 2,700 government school buildings in Rajasthan.
* It references a tragic incident in Piplodi, Jhalawar, where a school roof collapse resulted in seven student deaths.
* **Government Response:**
* Education falls under the Concurrent List of the Constitution, with States/UTs primarily administering schools.
* Ministry of Education guidelines are advisory, allowing States/UTs to adapt them to local needs.
* A statement with the answer is laid on the Table of the House.
* **Ministry of Education Directives:**
* **July 26, 2025 Directive:** Issued to all States/UTs to take urgent steps to ensure student safety and well-being, referencing existing "Guidelines on School Safety and Security" (2021) and National Disaster Management Guidelines (NDMA, 2016). Directives can be found at: https://dsel.education.gov.in/sites/default/files/update/ss2607.pdf
* Includes safety audits, emergency preparedness training, and psychosocial support.
* **August 7, 2025 Directive:** Issued to all States/UTs to ensure structural safety of school buildings, including urgent identification of unsafe buildings. Directives can be found at: https://dsel.education.gov.in/sites/default/files/update/ss07008.pdf
* Demolition or repair of structurally unsafe structures is mandated, with prohibition of use until certification.
* Temporary schooling and regular monitoring are required.
* **Rajasthan Government Action:**
* A comprehensive survey of government school buildings in Rajasthan has been conducted.
* District-level committees, led by Superintending Engineers, inspect buildings and submit reports.
* **Samagra Shiksha Scheme:**
* Supports infrastructure development and basic facilities in government schools.
* State/UT Annual Work Plans and Budgets (AWP&B) determine infrastructure needs.
* Project Approval Board (PAB) appraises and approves plans based on programmatic, financial norms, and budgetary resources.
**Impact Analysis**
**State Governments/UT Administrations**
* **Impact:** Required to implement the Ministry of Education's directives on school safety and structural integrity. They may need to allocate resources for safety audits, repairs, demolition, and alternative schooling arrangements.
* **Action Required:** Conduct safety audits, identify unsafe buildings, implement repair/demolition plans, arrange temporary schooling, ensure regular monitoring, and seek safety compliance certification. Develop Annual Work Plans and Budgets to reflect infrastructure needs.
**Schools (Administrators, Staff, and Students)**
* **Impact:** Changes to building access (potential closures), safety drills, training, and possible relocation to temporary facilities.
* **Action Required:** Participate in safety audits, training, and drills. Implement emergency preparedness measures.
**Ministry of Education**
* **Impact:** Responsible for providing guidelines, monitoring implementation, and potentially providing financial support through schemes like Samagra Shiksha.
* **Action Required:** Continue to monitor and support States/UTs in their efforts to improve school safety and infrastructure.
**Parents/Guardians**
* **Impact:** Increased safety for their children in schools.
* **Action Required:** Stay informed about school safety measures and participate in relevant school activities.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Education: The primary ministry responsible for issuing directives and guidelines related to school safety and infrastructure.
Samagra Shiksha Scheme: A scheme that supports the creation of infrastructure and basic facilities for students in Government Schools.
Rajasthan: The state where the dilapidated condition of school buildings is a specific concern.
"Guidelines on School Safety and Security" (2021): Referenced guidelines that states and Union Territories are to take urgent steps to ensure the student safety and well-being.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOLEDUCATION AND LITERACY
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO-10
ANSWERED ON –01/12/2025
DILAPIDATED CONDITION OF GOVERNMENT SCHOOL BUILDINGS
†*10. Shri Kuldeep Indora:
Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware that more than 2,700 Government School Buildings
in Rajasthan are in dilapidated condition, raising serious concerns about the safety of students,
particularly in view of the recent tragic incident of collapse of school’s roof in Piplodi,
Jhalawar wherein seven children lost their lives;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto;
(c) whether approval has been accorded for an approximate amount of Rs. 250 crore
proposed for the repair of these schools;
(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
(e) the assistance being provided by the Union Government to the State Government in
this regard; and
(f) whether any special scheme has been formulated for safety audit and immediate repair
of such schools?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF EDUCATION
(SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)
(a) to (f): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
********STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (f) OF LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 10 ANSWERED ON 01.12.2025 ASKED BY SHRI
KULDEEP INDORA, HON’BLE MP REGARDING DILAPIDATED CONDITION OF
GOVERNMENT SCHOOL BUILDINGS
(a) to (f): Education is in the Concurrent list of the Constitution and majority of the
schools are under the administrative control of respective State Government and UT
Administration. Guidelines issued by Ministry of Education are advisory in nature and
States/UTs are expected to implement them and they may incorporate additions/modifications
to them, according to their specific requirements.
The Ministry of Education has issued a latest directive on 26th July 2025 to all States
and Union Territories to take urgent steps to ensure the student safety and well-being. This
refers to the "Guidelines on School Safety and Security" (2021) and the National Disaster
Management Guidelines on School Safety (NDMA, 2016) issued on 27.02.2017 and includes
safety audits of schools and child-related facilities as per national safety codes, training for
staff and students in emergency preparedness, and the provision of psychosocial support
through counselling and peer networks. The Ministry has urged Education Departments,
School Boards, and affiliated authorities to act without delay in implementing these measures.
The directives are available on the link:
https://dsel.education.gov.in/sites/default/files/update/ss2607.pdf
Further, the Ministry of Education on 7th August 2025, has directed all States/UTs to
ensure the structural safety of school buildings and urgent identification of unsafe and
dilapidated school buildings through safety audits, followed by demolition, if required or
repair of structurally unsafe structures, and prohibition of use, until certified safe. Authorities
are advised to arrange temporary schooling where needed, gainfully use the space created due
to demolition, ensure regular monitoring and reporting, and ensure safety/ structural fitness
compliance certification for any re-occupancy. States/ UTs are instructed to strictly enforce
the above measures and avoid any further injuries and loss of life due to preventable
infrastructure failures. The directives are available on the link:
https://dsel.education.gov.in/sites/default/files/update/ss07008.pdf
As informed by Govt. of Rajasthan, a comprehensive survey to assess the condition of
government school buildings across Rajasthan has been undertaken after the accident for all
Govt. Schools. District level committees under chairmanship of Superintending Engineer,
Public Works Department of concerned district are constituted to inspect all under
construction/ recently completed school buildings under comprehensive inspection campaign
& submit report regarding quality of repair/construction works.
Samagra Shiksha Scheme supports creation of infrastructure and basic facilities for
students in Government Schools. The requirement of infrastructural facilities in schools are
worked out every year by the respective State/Union Territory including rural areas depending
on their need and priority and reflected in their Annual Work Plan and Budget (AWP&B).
These plans are then appraised and approved/estimated by Project Approval Board (PAB) in
consultation with the States and Union Territories as per the programmatic and financial
norms of the scheme, physical and financial progress of works sanctioned earlier and
availability of budgetary resources.
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