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"Andhra Pradesh Launches Urgent School Safety Drive: Structural Integrity Rules for 2025"

Andhra Pradesh Sets Strict School Safety Guidelines to Protect Students in 2025

The Andhra Pradesh School Education Department has directed all regional and district education officials to overhaul school safety protocols, aiming to create a secure, healthy learning environment for children. These orders stem from recent Ministry of Education and National Disaster Management Authority guidance, emphasizing the need to prevent tragedies caused by unsafe school infrastructure.

Key Directives:

• Immediate Safety Audits: All government, aided, and private schools must urgently assess their buildings, following national safety standards. Unsafe and unused structures must be identified swiftly through certified safety audits.

• Repair or Demolition: Buildings or areas failing safety standards must either be quickly repaired, retrofitted, or demolished. No classes are to be conducted in such spaces until they receive a structural safety certificate from a qualified authority.

• Safer Temporary Alternatives: If a school must close unsafe facilities, authorities must arrange secure temporary learning spaces to ensure students’ education is not disrupted.

• Post-Demolition Utilization: Cleared spaces can be transformed into play areas, nutrition gardens (Poshan Vatika), or vocational training spaces, enriching the school environment.

• Ongoing Monitoring: District officials must provide monthly updates on the safety status of school buildings, ensuring transparency and accountability.

• Strict Compliance: Occupation of repaired or new buildings is prohibited until officially certified as safe. Non-compliance will lead to action under relevant laws.

Why These Steps Matter

The move answers national calls for a “zero tolerance” approach to the risks posed by school infrastructure. By enforcing frequent safety checks and holding school management legally accountable, Andhra Pradesh aims to protect children’s health, prevent injuries, and foster a positive learning environment. The guidelines underline that a safe school is a fundamental right and that every stakeholder—officials, school heads, teachers, and local authorities—must take responsibility for avoiding preventable accidents and tragedies.

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