By IANS,
New Delhi : Holding four school officials responsible for the stampede in an east Delhi school earlier this month, the Delhi government has recommended their suspension and has suggested disaster management training for teachers and students in government schools, an official said Wednesday.
In an inquiry report submitted Sep 18 four school officials were blamed for “mismanagement”.
“The school officials have been found guilty of mismanagement of the crisis and their suspension has been recommended,” Chief Secretary Rakesh Mehta told IANS.
“Had they been able to control the panic created among the students, the incident could have been averted,” Mehta said.
The report of the probe ordered by the Delhi government has also suggested that the Delhi Disaster Management Authority train students and teachers to avert such mishaps in the future.
“Teachers and students of all government schools will be given training by the disaster management department. Training sessions will soon be chalked out,” said Mehta.
Five girl students were killed and at least 34 were injured Sep 10 in a stampede at the Government Senior Secondary School (Classes 6-12) in Khajoori Khas area of northeast Delhi. The victims were from class 7-10 and had come to school in the pouring rain for their mid-year examinations.
Initial reports suggested that a rumour about electric current leaking into the rainwater accumulated in the school compound triggered the stampede. However, victims told police that the incident took place while they were trying to make their way up and down a staircase.
Some alleged that boys who had come to the school to take their examination tried to molest them which resulted in the accident.
The probe was ordered to establish the reasons behind the stampede and to hold those who were responsible for the fiasco accountable.
The school will reopen Sep 29.