A series of accidents in government schools and hostels across Andhra Pradesh has raised serious concerns over student safety and the condition of educational infrastructure. Just days after the tragic incident in Salur, another fatal accident occurred in Shettur, Anantapur district. An eighth-grade student, Harshavardhan, died after a hostel wall collapsed, while another student sustained serious injuries.
Student Dies After Wall Collapses in Shettur
The accident occurred in Shettur under the Kalyandurgam constituency. The students, who were staying at a government hostel, had gone outside to attend to nature’s call when a wall suddenly collapsed on them.
Eight-grade student Harshavardhan suffered severe injuries in the incident and died. Another student was seriously injured and was immediately shifted to a hospital for treatment.
The Shettur tragedy occurred just six days after a similar incident in Salur of Manyam district, where a compound wall at a government school collapsed, resulting in the death of a 10th-grade student. With students losing their lives in two separate incidents within a short span, serious questions are being raised about the maintenance and safety of infrastructure in government schools and hostels.
Parents Worried About Student Safety
The occurrence of another accident before the previous tragedy could even be forgotten has heightened anxiety among students and parents. Parents are expressing anger over the failure to identify and repair dangerous walls and dilapidated buildings in areas where students study and stay.
They are also questioning the alleged lack of adequate safety standards and preventive maintenance in government educational institutions. Parents say that the government and Education Department must respond more seriously to such incidents and take immediate steps to prevent further loss of student lives.
Demand for Statewide Safety Inspections
Following the consecutive accidents, demands are growing for immediate inspections of all government schools and hostels across Andhra Pradesh. Parents and concerned sections are calling for a comprehensive assessment of compound walls, hostel buildings and other structures that may pose a threat to students.
Dangerous and structurally weak buildings should be identified without delay and either repaired or demolished wherever necessary, they have demanded.
Government Urged to Support Victim’s Family
Parents and local residents are urging the government to provide financial assistance and necessary support to the family of deceased student Harshavardhan. They are also demanding the best possible medical treatment for the injured student.
With concerns over student safety growing, the government and Education Department are being urged to remain alert and take immediate corrective measures. Ensuring safe infrastructure in schools and hostels, they say, must be treated as an urgent priority to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
