Three students of St Alphonsa School in Model Village, Naharlagun, were killed when an overhead water tank collapsed and fell on them near the school’s assembly shed on Saturday. All three were in Class 9, and two other students were seriously injured. The unimaginable tragedy likely occurred because the tank exceeded its capacity. The students were playing in the assembly area when the tank, located near the shed, collapsed, killing the three teenagers. This tragedy could have been avoided. Why was the water tank located so close to the assembly hall, where dozens of students gather each school day? This was sheer negligence. The government must take responsibility and cover the medical expenses of the injured students. The parents who lost their children in such an unspeakable tragedy should also be properly supported by the government. The government and the school owe an apology to the parents.
This won’t be the last tragic incident, as greed has taken over. Many schools in the capital region seem to neglect safety measures. From schools without playgrounds to crowded hostels lacking safety protocols, everything has been overlooked by government authorities. It is the responsibility of government agencies to ensure that schools are safe. A school should be a place where children go to learn, not where they are harmed due to the failure and greed of adults. These private schools, in the absence of adequate government-run institutions, often prioritise making money and boasting about good grades to attract more students over ensuring student safety. Unless concrete action is taken, children will continue to pay for the negligence of their schools. This must stop.
There must be clear audits and safety measures in place, with no compromises on safety. Schools, hostels, and private accommodations for students that fail to adhere to safety norms should be shut down permanently, and their licenses revoked.