Hyderabad: The school is functioning from a two-storeyed building, covering around 200 square yards, which is a residential building. There are around 160 students in the school with classes till UKG. The sump is located close to the play area.
Meanwhile, tension prevailed near the school as the residents and other parents staged a protest and burnt the school boards, demanding strict action against the management and the staff. However, Ms Lekha, school principal, and the staff moved out of the campus after the incident.
According to the school management, there are 25 students in each class and an aayah for each 20 student to take care of them during the school hours.
The sump, where Rachith drowned, was close to the play area and is located in a walkway behind the building.
According to Rachith’s parents, since he was weak in speech, his class teacher made him to sit with her most of the time. But even she did not notice his absence in the classroom.
Sump can’t be near play area: DEO
A. Usha Rani, district educational officer of Medchal, stated that she was saddened at the death of the two-year-old at Bachpan play school, Malkajgiri, on the occasion of Children’s’ Day.
She said, “According to the government rules, any underground water sump should be covered and precautionary measures should be taken. It cannot be close to the play area in play schools.”
She further stated that the school’s claim of having a dedicated nanny for each student is not a rule set by the government. “The school’s negligence to note the absence of the student is serious. According to government order, each class should have one ayah.”
She also said that strong action will be taken against the school after inspection by the MEO.
R. Srinivas, the MEO of Malkajgiri, who conducted the inspection, will submit the report on Wednesday. He said, “I will definitely inspect all play schools to ensure that such incident does not happen again. The report of all schools will be submitted next month.”
