**Executive Summary**
The document is a response to an unstarred question in Lok Sabha regarding the maintenance of school buildings, particularly in Rajasthan, answered on December 15, 2025. It outlines the measures taken by the Government of Rajasthan and the Ministry of Education to ensure school building safety and maintenance. Key actions include comprehensive surveys, implementation of Samagra Shiksha, and issuance of safety guidelines.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Rajasthan School Building Survey:**
* The Government of Rajasthan has conducted a comprehensive survey to assess the condition of all government school buildings.
* District-level committees, under the chairmanship of the Superintending Engineer, Public Works Department, inspected buildings.
* Committees submitted reports regarding the quality of repair/construction works.
* **Samagra Shiksha Scheme:**
* The Department of School Education & Literacy is implementing the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Samagra Shiksha.
* Financial assistance is provided to States and UTs for various components.
* Annual plans are prepared by States and UTs based on their requirements and reflected in their Annual Work Plan and Budget (AWP&B).
* The plans are appraised and approved/estimated by the Project Approval Board (PAB).
* The release of Central share depends on the submission of utilization certificates, audit reports, physical and financial progress reports, State contributions, and compliance with scheme norms.
* **Kendriya Vidyalaya & Navodaya Vidyalaya Schools:**
* Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan regularly conducts safety audits and inspections.
* No adverse reports on structural safety in Kendriya Vidyalaya schools in Rajasthan, including Dausa, have been received.
* Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti reported no schools at risk in Rajasthan, including Dausa.
* **Ministry of Education Directives and Guidelines:**
* The Ministry of Education issued a directive on July 26, 2025, urging States and UTs to ensure student safety and well-being.
* References existing guidelines and directives: "Guidelines on School Safety and Security” (2021), National Disaster Management Guidelines on School Safety (NDMA, 2016).
* Ministry urged Education Departments, School Boards, and affiliated authorities to implement safety measures without delay.
* On August 7, 2025, directed all States/UTs to ensure the structural safety of school buildings through safety audits and urgent identification of unsafe buildings.
* **Existing Guidelines:**
* Guidelines on School Safety and Security by Department of School Education and Literacy (October 1, 2021).
* Guidelines on School Safety Policy by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA, 2016).
* "Manual on Safety and Security of Children in Schools" compiled by NCPCR (February 26, 2018).
* **Rajasthan School Repair Works:**
* The Government of India sanctioned 40 school repair works for Rajasthan in 2024-25.
* 39 of these works have been completed.
**Impact Analysis**
**State Governments and UTs**
* **Impact:** Expected to implement Ministry of Education guidelines and may incorporate additions/modifications according to specific requirements. Required to ensure the structural safety of school buildings, conduct safety audits, and provide necessary repairs or demolition.
* **Action Required:** To adhere to Ministry of Education directives and safety guidelines, to submit utilization certificates, audit reports, physical and financial progress reports, State contributions, and compliance with scheme norms
**School Authorities (Education Departments, School Boards, affiliated authorities, etc.)**
* **Impact:** Responsible for student safety and well-being.
* **Action Required:** Implement safety measures without delay, conduct safety audits, ensure staff and student training, and provide psychosocial support.
**Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan & Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti**
* **Impact:** Responsible for ensuring the structural safety of their respective schools.
* **Action Required:** Continue conducting safety audits and inspections of school buildings.
**Government of Rajasthan**
* **Impact:** Responsible for survey and quality of school buildings
* **Action Required:** Ensuring completion of the 1 outstanding repair project.
Key Entities Referenced
Samagra Shiksha: A centrally sponsored scheme that provides financial assistance to all States and UTs for various components for implementation of interventions related to school education as per norms.
Department of School Education and Literacy: The department responsible for implementing the Samagra Shiksha scheme and issuing guidelines related to school safety and security.
Rajasthan: The state where the inspection and repair works are being discussed, and where questions have arisen about the implementation of school building maintenance and safety policies.
Guidelines on School Safety and Security (2021): A document issued by the Ministry of Education providing guidelines for ensuring the safety and security of students and staff in schools.
National Disaster Management Guidelines on School Safety (NDMA, 2016): A document issued by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) providing guidelines related to school safety in the context of disaster management.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION AND LITERACY
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-2444
ANSWERED ON – 15/12/2025
MAINTENANCE OF SCHOOL BUILDINGS
†2444. Shri Murari Lal Meena:
Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is a fact that the inspection and repair works have been delayed in the incidence
of collapsing of roof in a Government school in Rajasthan, if so, the details of the school and the
reasons for delay in repair works;
(b) whether it is a fact that adequate budget has not been allocated on time for quality check
and maintenance of school buildings, if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether it is a fact that the inspection of centrally run schools and other school buildings in
the said State including Dausa district has been conducted promptly and if so, the number of other
schools at risk;
(d) whether the Government has made any changes in policies pertaining to school building
maintenance and emergency management to prevent such incidences, if so, the details thereof; and
(e) whether the State Education Department did not achieve the target set for the repair and
safety of school building in the Financial Year 2024-25 and if so, the details of the target that have
not been achieved?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
(SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY)
(a) to (c): Govt. of Rajasthan has conducted a comprehensive survey to assess the condition of all
government school buildings. District level committees under chairmanship of Superintending
Engineer, Public Works Department of concerned district were constituted to inspect all under
construction/ recently completed school buildings under comprehensive inspection campaign &
submit report regarding quality of repair/construction works.
The Department of School Education & Literacy is implementing the Centrally Sponsored
Scheme of Samagra Shiksha in partnership with all the States and UTs. Financial assistance is
provided to all States and UTs for various components for implementation of the interventions under
Samagra Shiksha as per norms. Accordingly, the annual plans under Samagra Shiksha are prepared
by the States and UTs based on their requirements and priority and this is reflected in their
respective 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 UTs as
per the programmatic and financial norms of the scheme. The release of Central share depends on
the submission of the utilisation certificates, audit reports in respect of funds released earlier,
physical and financial progress reports, State contributions and compliance with the scheme norms.Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan is regularly conducting safety audits/ inspections of school
buildings in accordance with national safety codes and disaster management guidelines and no
adverse report regarding structural safety of Kendriya Vidyalaya schools in Rajasthan including
Dausa has been received. As per the internal assessment carried by Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti,
none of their schools in the State of Rajasthan including Dausa District, has been reported at risk.
(d): 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
Earlier, Government of India has issued various guidelines for ensuring safety and security of
children in schools, as under:
1. Guidelines on School Safety and Security by Department of School Education and Literacy
issued on 01.10.2021. These guidelines are uploaded on the website of DoSEL at
https://dsel.education.gov.in/sites/default/files/2021-10/guidelines_sss.pdf
2. Guidelines on School Safety Policy by the National Disaster Management Authority
(NDMA, 2016) issued on 27.02.2017. These guidelines are available at the link:
https://dsel.education.gov.in/sites/default/files/rte/Guidelines_feb.pdf
3. NCPCR examined and compiled different guidelines and developed a comprehensive
manual titled- “Manual on Safety and Security of Children in Schools” dated 26.02.2018.
The manual is available at the link:
https://ncpcr.gov.in/uploads/165604923562b54e531fe87_manual-on-safety-and-security-
of-children-in-schools-sep-2021-2465-kb.pdf
(e): As per information from the State of Rajasthan, in 2024-25, Government of India sanctioned
40 school repair works, out of these 39 works have been completed.
***