Khagaria/Patna : An inquiry into the fatal staircase collapse at a primary school in Amni village of Khagaria’s Mansi block has found financial irregularities in the construction of the school building, according to District Magistrate Vikram Virkar.
The inquiry team submitted its report to the district administration on Thursday, a day after a portion of the school’s staircase collapsed, killing a student and injuring three others.
According to the findings cited by the district administration, the funds released for construction of the school building were not fully utilised. The inquiry also found lapses in the monitoring and supervision of the construction work.
Action Recommended Against Officials and Headmasters
DM Vikram Virkar said the district administration has recommended action against officials of the Education Department, the concerned engineer and the school’s former and current headmasters.
The recommended action is expected to include departmental proceedings as well as legal action, depending on the findings and applicable rules.
The district administration has sent its recommendation to the Education Department for further action.
Student Killed in Staircase Collapse
The inquiry follows Wednesday’s accident at the Jatadhar Mishra Primary School in Amni village under Mansi police station.
A portion of the school’s concrete staircase suddenly collapsed while students were at the school. Seven-year-old Class 1 student Ritika Kumari died after being trapped under the debris, while three other children were injured.
The injured students were taken for medical treatment, with officials saying that the circumstances surrounding the collapse would be investigated.
School Construction and Monitoring Under Scrutiny
The latest inquiry has placed both the construction of the school building and its subsequent monitoring under scrutiny.
The district administration’s findings indicate that questions have been raised over the utilisation of construction funds as well as the supervision of the work. The role of the officials, engineer and headmasters named in the recommendation will be examined through the appropriate departmental process.
Earlier, the administration had also ordered an examination of the building’s condition and the circumstances that led to the staircase collapse.
Safety Audit Ordered for Schools Across Khagaria
Following the incident, the district administration also directed officials to conduct a safety audit of schools across the district.
The audit is intended to examine the condition of school buildings, staircases, roofs, classrooms, electrical systems and other infrastructure affecting student safety. Schools requiring repairs, strengthening or other corrective measures are to be identified for further action.
Further Action to Follow Inquiry Findings
The district administration has indicated that responsibility will be fixed wherever negligence, dereliction of duty or technical shortcomings are established.
The recommendations in the Amni school case will now be examined by the Education Department, while any further departmental or legal action will depend on the findings and applicable procedures.
The incident has also prompted wider scrutiny of the safety and maintenance of school infrastructure in the district.
