No physical classes without safety clearance: DSEJ issues strict re-opening guidelines after heavy rains
Blazing Tales News Service
JAMMU, JULY 23: In the aftermath of widespread heavy rainfall and flooding across the Jammu division, the Directorate of School Education Jammu (DSEJ) has directed all government, private and coaching institutions not to resume physical classes until their campuses are thoroughly inspected and certified safe for students and staff.
The Directorate has instructed heads of educational institutions to undertake comprehensive safety assessments of school buildings and campus infrastructure before reopening. The inspections must cover classrooms, laboratories, libraries, administrative blocks, toilets, drinking water facilities, electrical installations, boundary walls, playgrounds and all other essential infrastructure. Institutions have also been directed to verify the condition of approach roads and pathways used by students and staff to ensure safe access.
The order makes it clear that no school or coaching institute will be permitted to conduct physical classes if there are signs of structural damage or any condition that could pose a threat to safety. These include cracks in buildings, weakened roofs or walls, waterlogging, exposed electrical hazards or any other unsafe circumstances. Such institutions will remain closed until necessary repairs are completed and the premises are declared fit for reopening.
School authorities have further been directed to coordinate with the district administration, Revenue Department, Panchayati Raj Institutions, Urban Local Bodies and the District Disaster Management Authority, wherever required, to facilitate inspections, restoration work and other safety measures.
In cases where school buildings are found unsuitable for academic activities, the Directorate has advised institutions to explore appropriate alternative arrangements to ensure that students’ education continues without unnecessary disruption.
The DSEJ has also made it mandatory for every institution to submit a School Readiness Report to the concerned education authorities before resuming physical classes. Reiterating that the safety and well-being of students, teachers and staff remain the highest priority, the Directorate stressed that the reopening guidelines must be implemented in letter and spirit before normal classroom teaching is allowed to resume.
