Lok Sabha Question No. 2444 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-15
Subject: Maintenance of School Buildings
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Murari Lal Meena

## 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 26 th 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 7 th 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 reoccupancy. 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-securityof-children-in-schools-sep-2021-2465-kb.pdf
4. (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.