Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh govt has launched a statewide safety audit and risk assessment drive covering around 1.4 lakh govt and aided schools, aiming to strengthen safety systems for students and staff across campuses. Education department has partnered with a private firm to conduct assessments spanning structural stability, fire and electrical safety, emergency preparedness, child protection mechanisms, health and hygiene standards, water and sanitation facilities, laboratory safety, road safety, and accessibility for children with disabilities.In directives issued to DMs, additional chief secretary for basic and secondary education Partha Sarthi Sen Sharma said the initiative would improve disaster preparedness and overall well-being in schools.
He said institutions would be evaluated using scientific and technical standards, with higher priority given to buildings older than 30 years, schools in flood-prone areas, and districts falling in higher seismic-risk zones.
Officials said that the audits will also examine the presence and quality of disaster management plans, marked evacuation routes, and compliance with fire safety norms. A detailed inspection of each school building will be conducted to identify potential hazards.
The audit is being undertaken in line with directions of Lucknow bench of Allahabad HC and national school safety guidelines. Implementation will be carried out in two phases: 27,581 schools are slated for audit within 180 days in the first phase, while the second phase will cover more than 1.12 lakh schools over one year. A state-level school safety committee headed by the chief secretary has been constituted to oversee implementation.
