Putting lives of lakhs of students, teachers and staff members at serious risk, as many as 1,594 schools were operating in the national Capital without fire-safety certificates. This shocking reality has come to light at a recent high-level meeting chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia.
According to a senior officer, 307 North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NMC) schools, 247 run by the city administration and 136 EDMC-run and 113 SDMC-run schools are operating without the fire safety certificates. Besides, two Kendriya Vidyalas and one school run by Delhi Cantonment Board have yet to get fire safety document.
The senior officer said that the majority of the schools functioning without fire safety certificates were the ones run by private bodies. As many as 787 private schools are operating without fire safety certificates, he added.
Taking serious note of revelation, the AAP Government ordered the Education, PWD and all the municipal bodies to ensure early completion of shortcomings pointed out by the fire department. The administration decided to take adequate measures for safety and security of students studying in different schools in the city.
The administration also decided to hold a separate review meeting to discuss threadbare about the progress on the matter after a week. The meeting is expected to be chaired the Deputy CM.