VALPOI
Two students sustained minor injuries when pieces of the ceiling came crashing down at the Valpoi Government Higher Secondary School on Thursday.
According to sources, the incident took place at about 10 am when pieces of the ceiling came crashing down in the Std 12 classroom, located on the second floor.
Two students sustain minor injuries and the incident caused panic among students, who rushed out of the classroom and alerted the staff at the school.
Students from other classes then came out of their classes and expressed their displeasure over the condition of the school building, alleging that authorities had not taken steps to ensure maintenance of the building. They feared that similar incidents are likely to take place on account of the poor condition of the building.
Sources said the Valpoi Govt HSS had been built sometime in 1985, but there had been no major maintenance of the building.
“There has been water seepage in the building and eight days ago, students had even voiced concern as the walls had been damp and could come in contact with live wires,” said the source.
PTA President Santosh Gaonkar rushed to the school and took stock of the situation.
“We had sent a number of letters to authorities to request urgent attention to this issue, but there has been no action so far. Now, two students were injured after pieces of the ceiling fell down,” said Gaonkar.
Sources in the PWD said a proposal to repair the building at a cost of Rs 1 crore had been prepared by the PWD and sent to the education department for approval six months ago.
“However, the proposal has not been approved as yet. Unless the proposal is approved by the Directorate of Education, the work cannot be started,” a source in the PWD said.
The incident on Thursday sparked off anger among parents and they have demanded an investigation on the delay by the education department in granting approval to the renovation of the Valpoi government HSS.
