Government Orders Mandatory School Safety Audits

In late July 2025, a tragic incident in Jhalawar district, Rajasthan, where a government school building collapsed and claimed the lives of seven children while injuring 28 others, shocked the nation. This disaster, along with other recent structural failures, has prompted the government to take urgent, decisive measures to ensure such tragedies are not repeated.

The Ministry of Education has now issued a nationwide mandate for mandatory safety audits of all schools and child-related facilities across states and Union Territories. These audits must be conducted in line with national safety and disaster management codes. The audits will cover:

Chandigarh has issued one of the most comprehensive safety audit frameworks so far, including infrastructure assessment, mental health measures, and disaster preparedness. The deadline for completing these audits is August 30, with School Management Committees, Parent–Teacher Associations, and community members actively involved.

In Kottarakkara district, the state finance minister has mandated immediate audits for all schools, focusing on electrical safety and demolition of unsafe buildings. The work must be completed by August 15.

After another school building collapse incident in the state, the Chief Minister has ordered immediate inspections of all school infrastructure, with instructions to repair or reconstruct unsafe structures without delay.

The State Minority Commission has directed all minority-run schools to set up four essential committees within a week: school management, women’s grievances, student safety, and infrastructure monitoring. Schools failing to comply risk losing their minority status.

While safety guidelines already existed under the National Education Policy 2020, NDMA’s School Safety Policy, and the Performance Grading Index, this directive transforms them from recommendations into binding, enforceable mandates with deadlines and accountability measures.

The new mandatory safety audit policy represents a major shift in how India approaches school safety. It is not only about preventing building collapses but also about fostering a culture where physical security, mental well-being, and community involvement go hand in hand. From Chandigarh’s detailed framework to Kerala’s rapid deadline, each region is adapting the mandate to local realities. The true measure of success will be consistent implementation and the willingness of all stakeholders — from government bodies to parents — to keep safety at the forefront of education.