Jammu, July 24: The Directorate of School Education (DSE), Jammu has issued a comprehensive circular outlining mandatory safety measures for the reopening of government and private educational institutions, including coaching centres, in flood-affected areas across the Jammu Division. The move comes in the wake of recent heavy rainfall and flooding, which reportedly caused structural damage to several school buildings.
According to the circular, no educational institution will be allowed to resume physical classes unless its buildings and premises are thoroughly inspected and certified as structurally safe by the competent authorities. Schools affected by flooding, cracks, seepage, weakened structures, or any other safety hazards will remain closed until they receive formal clearance.
Heads of Institutions (HoIs) have been directed to conduct detailed inspections of classrooms, school buildings, boundary walls, drinking water facilities, sanitation blocks, electrical systems, playgrounds, and other essential infrastructure. They must also assess approach roads to ensure they are free from landslides, waterlogging, fallen trees, damaged electricity poles, or other hazards.
The circular further instructs school authorities to coordinate with the district administration, revenue officials, local bodies, and disaster management authorities before reopening schools. Institutions must ensure proper sanitation, clean drinking water, electricity, and a safe learning environment for students and staff.
If any school building is declared unsafe, alternative arrangements such as community halls, Panchayat Ghars, government buildings, or other suitable public facilities may be used to continue academic activities. Every school is required to submit a School Readiness Report certifying compliance with all safety norms before reopening.
The Directorate has directed Chief Education Officers and Joint Directors to closely monitor implementation of these instructions, emphasizing that the safety and well-being of students, teachers, and staff must remain the highest priority.
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