Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan has slammed the Kerala government for the alleged lack of accountability in all departments, which he said had led to the unfortunate electrocution of a 13-year-old boy at a school in Thevalakkara, Kollam on Thursday (July 17).
If the government and the education departments cannot ensure the safety of children in schools, then the people have no use for such authorities. The government should immediately conduct a safety audit in all schools across the State and ensure that the physical infrastructure in schools are not in peril, Mr. Satheesan demanded.
He raised alarm over the safety of children in schools, with deaths from snake bites or electrocution being reported in recent years. The Opposition had raised the demand for a safety audit five years ago when a 10-year-old had died in Wayanad following a snake bite inside a school classroom. Yet, nothing was done till date, he said.
He questioned how the school at Thevalakkara was given the fitness certificate when the power lines were drawn so close to the roof where Mithun had climbed to retrieve his sandals. It is to be revealed whether the school was given a fitness certificate because the management is dominated by the CPI(M) or if the school was being run without a fitness certificate whatsoever, Mr. Satheesan charged.
The Opposition leader alleged that all important departments of the government – Health, Higher Education and General Education – were in disarray, with none having any accountability. He demanded that the government order a comprehensive investigation into the incident at Thevalakkara Boys’ High School and ensure that such negligence never occur in any schools in the State.
Published – July 18, 2025 04:58 pm IST
