CHENNAI: Activists have raised concern over the Madras High Court ruling that school buildings need not be restricted to three floors. The HC had lifted the restriction on school buildings that were hitherto permitted to have only up to three floors.
While the court had stated that the restriction was only based on a letter by the Director of School Education Department and a circular by Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA), activists point out that the restriction was based on the National Building Code of India 2005.
“Why was the National Building Code not brought to the notice of the Hon’ble Judge by the education department and CMDA? This HC judgment violates an SC direction,” said Narayanan Ananth from Change India, a city-based NGO.
Following the Kumbakonam school fire tragedy, the Apex Court had, in its order dated April 13, 2009, stated that ‘Evaluation of structural aspect of the school may be carried out periodically. We direct that the concerned engineers and officials must strictly follow the National Building Code.’
“In a place where only children less than 18 years study, the removal of restriction in the number of floors will only turn out to be in the commercial interests of the management,” said Prince Gajendra Babu, general secretary, State Platform for Common School System.
There was no inspection of schools with regard to structural stability, fire safety and other norms, Narayanan concluded.