THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The General Education Department has revealed that the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) neglected a safety alert issued by Thevalakkara Boys High School prior to the electrocution incident that resulted in a student’s death. Meanwhile, it was also a lapse on the part of the school authorities, who built a shed under the power line, and the panchayat authorities, who issued a fitness certificate without ensuring safety.

During a safety auditing meeting held at the school on July 2, it was brought to the attention of KSEB officials that the power line was dangerously low. Officials from KSEB and representatives from the panchayat had participated in the meeting. The KSEB also failed to insulate the power line passing through the school compound, a serious lapse in ensuring safety.

Even though the school management and the panchayat certified that the school was fit for functioning, questions are now being raised about how a fitness certificate was issued for the cycle shed that was constructed without KSEB’s approval.

Fitness certificate

• Fitness includes everything from the foundation to the roof. Toilets, protective walls of wells, electric equipment, furniture, and safety boards all come within the scope of fitness.
• Annually, before the start of the academic year, the vegetation around the school should be cleared out, and any hazardous tree branches need to be taken down.
• Local self-government institutions are responsible for conducting fitness inspections. The engineering department of the local bodies is tasked with ensuring fitness. As per the KER (Kerala Education Rules), fitness should be certified before May 31.

“Strict action will be taken if negligence is found. Instructions regarding school safety measures had already been given before the reopening of schools. It will be verified whether headmasters have acted accordingly.”
– Minister V. Sivankutty

“A preliminary report has been submitted to the government. I will visit the school and collect more details. Strict safety instructions will be issued to all schools. Recommendations will be made for a ministerial-level meeting.”
– S. Shanavas, Director, General Education Department