Roof Collapse in Five Schools: Three Teachers Critically Injured
Astaranga, 19/7 – While the state government has introduced the 5T education model to improve the quality of learning for students, a different reality is unfolding in the Astaranga block. In a shocking incident, the roof of a classroom at Padhiari High School under Talada Panchayat collapsed, affecting five schools under the same initiative. As a result, three teachers were critically injured, and two other staff members were also hurt.
According to sources, the incident occurred around noon while a staff meeting was taking place in one of the classrooms. The plaster of a ceiling over 10 feet high suddenly gave way and fell on those present. The school had been inaugurated in November 2021 by the Hon’ble Minister of State for Home Affairs, Tushar Kanti Behera. It was later included under the state’s 5T school transformation program and upgraded by the block administration.
However, locals allege that the contractor rushed through the construction work just to complete it before the Panchayat elections. According to local intellectuals, the old walls were merely patched with cement and painted, while the contractor claimed the full bill for the upgrade. This poor-quality work resulted in the recent damage within a short span of time.
Fortunately, no students were injured in the incident. Despite repeated complaints about substandard work during the school’s functioning, the block administration took no action. As Talada is a remote riverine area, officials reportedly showed no interest in crossing the river to monitor the work. As a result, the contractor carried out the work hastily and carelessly, the consequences of which are now visible.
This has raised serious concerns about safety—if the school staff aren’t safe, how can children be expected to study there safely? The residents of Talada are demanding immediate and strict action against the block administration and the responsible contractor from the state government. Until this is done, they have declared that they will not send their children to the school.
