Student Escapes as School Ceiling Collapses in Surat

Surat : A ninth-grade student at Bhulka Vihar School in Surat’s Pal area narrowly escaped serious injury when a portion of a concrete slab from the lobby ceiling collapsed on her on Tuesday afternoon. The incident, which could have had severe consequences, left the girl with only minor injuries, and she was quickly taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

The accident occurred just as the school day was ending. The student was on her way home when a part of the lobby ceiling suddenly gave way, falling directly on her leg. Staff members, including the school principal, rushed to the scene to assist the injured girl. Fortunately, there were fewer students present in the building at the time, which likely prevented further injuries.

The injured student was immediately transported to a nearby hospital, where she received treatment for her leg injury, which was determined to be minor. After receiving first aid, she was released into the care of her parents.

This incident has raised concerns about the structural integrity of school buildings in Surat. In a similar situation two years ago, the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) conducted structural assessments on 83 schools managed by the Nagar Prathamik Shikshan Samiti (NPSS). Shockingly, the reports revealed that 26 of these schools were found to be structurally unsound. Of these, six schools have since been demolished, and students from 11 schools have been relocated to other institutions. However, the overcrowding in these temporary arrangements has resulted in five to six children sharing a single bench.

Vinod Gajera, a member of the education committee, highlighted the concerning findings of the structural report. The report indicated that two schools built in 2002 and 2003 were already deemed unsafe, raising questions about the quality of construction and maintenance. These findings have prompted the SMC to begin constructing new school buildings where necessary, with a completion timeline of two years.

The collapse at Bhulka Vihar School follows a string of incidents in Surat involving deteriorating buildings. Just a few months ago, the SMC issued notices to the owners of dilapidated buildings throughout the city, some of which have since been evacuated and demolished. The latest incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing risks posed by aging infrastructure in educational institutions.

Opposition leaders have previously criticized the SMC for the rapid deterioration of school buildings, pointing out that structures built less than two decades ago have already become unsafe. They have called for stricter oversight of construction practices and have urged that future contracts exclude those responsible for the substandard buildings.