Chandigarh Child Rights Panel raises alarm on fire safety issues in schools

Shipra Bansal, the chairperson of the Chandigarh Commission for Protection of Child Rights (CCPCR), expressed serious concerns regarding the status of fire safety certificates (FSC) in government and private schools in the city. In a suo-moto move, the CCPCR investigated the issuance of No Objection Certificates (NOCs) by the fire department to these schools.

Critical shortfall in fire safety compliance

According to Bansal, only three government schools in Chandigarh currently hold valid FSCs issued by the municipal corporation's fire department. The commission's examination of a list revealed that 75 government schools and 18 private schools lack valid FSCs. Additionally, FSCs for five private schools have expired, according to the commission's findings.

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In response to these findings, the CCPCR plans to convene a committee meeting involving officials from both the fire department and the UT education department. The aim is to address the fire safety shortcomings in schools. While some schools are reportedly in the process of obtaining NOCs, the commission intends to scrutinize the duration of this process and understand any delays.

Education Department's perspective

UT Director of School Education, Harsuhinderpal Singh Brar, assured that schools are actively pursuing the necessary certificates. He stated that 109 government schools have applied online for certificates, with two already issued and the rest in progress. Among private schools, 27 have received certificates, and 57 are in the application process. Brar emphasized the department's commitment to ensuring all schools have adequate fire-fighting equipment and meet fire safety standards by the end of the academic year.

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