This is an archive article published on June 28, 2024
Amid crackdown in Gujarat over fire safety issues, school associations say they will conduct classes in tents
Over 240 schools across Gujarat were sealed over non-compliance with Fire NOC or Building Use permits or both.
Written by Ritu Sharma
Ahmedabad | Updated: June 28, 2024 12:50 PM IST
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School owners stage a protest against sealing by the Rajkot Municipal Corporation at the civic body headquarters on Tuesday (File Photo)
Almost two weeks after schools in Gujarat reopened after summer vacations, private school management associations on Thursday said they would conduct classes in tents after several schools without Building Use (BU) and fire safety permits remained sealed across the state amid a crackdown.
The school management associations held a meeting, which was attended by representatives from around 150 school managements across Gujarat, where it was decided they would conduct classes from tents if they were not given time and the issue was not addressed.
“We will teach from tents outside the sealed school buildings if the issue is not addressed by the authorities. We will submit a written representation to the chief minister on Monday and wait for a week else start teaching from tents,” Bhaskar Patel, Chairman, Gujarat School Management Association, told The Indian Express.
Patel said even though many schools have paid the requisite fee for a long time and already applied for permits, civic body authorities have yet to give permission.
In the last two days, more than 50 primary and pre-primary schools without BU and fire No Objection Certificate (NOC) permits have been sealed by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation.
On June 13, when the new academic session began in Gujarat, more than 240 schools across the state were sealed in the wake of non-compliance with the Fire NOC or BU permit or both.
After the Rajkot TRP gaming zone fire and amusement park last month, which claimed 27 lives, the Gujarat Government directed all municipal corporations, district collectors, and district authorities concerned to conduct surveys of schools.
Ritu Sharma is an Assistant Editor with The Indian Express' Gujarat bureau, an editorial position that reflects her experience and Authority in regional journalism. With over a decade of concentrated reporting experience, she is a highly Trustworthy and specialized journalist, especially noted for her Expertise in the education sector across Gujarat and previously Chandigarh.
Expertise
Primary Authority (Education): With over ten years of dedicated reporting on education in both Gujarat and Chandigarh, Ritu Sharma is a foremost authority on educational policy, institutional governance, and ground realities from "KG to PG." Her coverage includes:
Higher Education: In-depth scrutiny of top institutions like IIM-Ahmedabad (controversies over demolition/restoration of heritage architecture), IIT-Bombay (caste discrimination issues), and new initiatives like international branch campuses in GIFT City.
Schooling & Policy: Detailed coverage of government schemes (Gyan Sadhana School Voucher Scheme), the implementation and impact of the Right to Education (RTE) Act, teacher recruitment issues, and the impact of national policies like the NEP.
Student Welfare: Reporting on critical issues such as suicide allegations due to caste discrimination, and the challenges faced by students (e.g., non-delivery of NAMO tablets). ... Read More
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