School Safety Provision: Provisions made for earthquake resistant structure, fire safety and natural calamities in the design of school infrastructure.

State of Kerala is one of the states that falls under seismic Zone 3. Though disaster probability is less, all safety measures are being taken while constructing buildings especially school buildings. The probable calamities that may occur can be identified as follows.

Earth quakes

Fire

Flood

Cyclones

Land slides

Tsunami

All school buildings are designed as per IS codes with open space areas. Framed structure type of foundation adopted for all school buildings. Bands are provided at ground level, plinth level, Lintel level and roof level. All designs are approved by PWD. Stair cases are given 5-7 feet width for easy exit.

All class room doors can be opened by pushing from inside. To all class rooms 1 door and 3 windows are provided. Fire safe designs and non combustible materials are used for the construction of school building. There is no primary school with thatched roof. Fire extinguisher is provided to all schools. Electric connections are concealed with the concrete wall and quality materials are being used for wiring. All school kitchens are separated from class rooms. Plinth level is maintained above the maximum flood level in flood prone areas especially in the coastal areas and river banks. In site selection utmost care is taken to avoid low laying area, filled earth, rocky area, lousy soil etc. Sites are selected by avoiding land slide probable areas. Framed structure design is ensured to withstand cyclones. In coastal areas special trainings are given to teachers and students for quick relief actions and forecasting facilities are made in the possible areas of tsunami.

In the curriculum of Std.VIII Social Science, disaster management is included as a learning unit. State is having a well trained wing of student police cadets, NCC to take any situation related to disaster management. Thus all possible safety measures are being taken at every possible step while school buildings are constructed in the state.

Infrastructure Assessment and gap as per RTE

SMC is the implementing agency of SSK in Kerala. An understanding of the total infrastructure requirement in the context of RTE and likely gap needs to be fundamental focus of the plan document. This understanding needs to be strengthened in the plans. The prioritization of civil works has to happen with this background.

SSK, Kerala has developed infrastructure assessment form for School Development Plan. The various details of the primary school viz. general information, campus environment, building design, classroom environment, toilet, drinking water facility, electrical facility and MDM kitchen shed have been incorporated in the form. The status of available facility is compared with standard norms. We have undertaken survey of schools through Co-ordinators. We have imparted training to Co-ordinators forming their groups region wise. The details of each topic of the form have been filled up by the SSK Co-ordinators through on site actual survey carried out by them. The academic information is taken up from the concerned head teacher of the school.

The data about the built environment is compared with standard norms as per RTE and used to ascertain the requirement of different activities as per RTE. Thus the proposal in the budget is made as per the gap decided through the generated data as per RTE requirement.

Assessment of gap for New School building

The state has undertaken comprehensive mapping exercise to identify gaps and areas where new schools to be opened. The RTE act provides children’s access to elementary schools within the defined area or limits of neighbourhood. The schedule to the RTE act lays down the norms and standards for a school building as below:

At least two primary school teachers, additional teachers as per the enrolment in each school.

A school building as per infrastructure norms prescribed under RTE.

The school buildings proposed district wise have been assessed considering neighbourhood norms notified by the State Government under the State RTE rules.