Boy falls from school window
Six-yr-old topples from second floor of Shanti Asiatic. Parents blame incident on negligent authorities who failed to install safety features
Yogesh Avasthi
Posted On Saturday, December 22, 2012 (http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/article/2/20121222201212220212192067872e195/Boy-falls-from-school-window.html)
For four days, Vihaan Bhagat fought for his life. The 6-year-old schoolboy had plunged from the second floor room of Shanti Asiatic School where he studies in Class 1. His horrified classmates watched helplessly as he hit the ground, face down. The injured child was rushed to Sterling hospital where the medical staff battled to save his life. His parents who mounted a round-the-clock vigil outside the intensive care unit kept wondering how the school that charged Rs 60,000 as fee from them could overlook the safety of young students. The institute is situated off S P Ring Road.
AUTHORITIES TO BE BLAMED
Vihaan is finally out of danger but it will take him months to recover from the injuries to his wrist, left elbow and forehead. Doctors also fear he could develop neurological problems due to the blow to his head, said his mother Nilu Kalapi Bhagat who blames her son’s condition on the negligence of teachers as well as school authorities. “The incident occurred on December 12 when 50-60 students of B and C division were taken for dance practice on the second floor. After practice got over, halfway down the hall, the dance teacher let the children return to their classrooms by themselves. Some kids, including Vihaan, went back to the second floor. They entered the audio-visual room and began playing there. Somehow, my son fell through the window. It was the teacher’s job to ensure that the kids reach their classroom safely. Such carelessness can never be excused.”
NO SAFETY FEATURES
Most classrooms in the school have large windows without grilles, says Nilu, adding, “The corridors and balconies have railings that barely comes up to a child’s thighs. It is perplexing how the structure received necessary clearance. We had raised this issue with the school management during admission time. The authorities had promised to address the issue but never followed up on it. We hope other parents are more careful and check out the premises of schools before admitting their children. No parent should have to undergo such a situation. It is terrifying.”
Doctors discharged Vihaan on Thursday. Now, the Bhagats plan to register a police case. “The police did approach us. But we were so worried about Vihaan who was in the ICU at the time that we told the cops we would talk to them later.” Meanwhile, sources in the school said, “The children were playing in the AV room when they were spotted by a teacher. She reported it to the coordinator. By the time the coordinator reached the room, the child fell.”
GRILLES INSTALLED
Housekeeping supervisor Nayan Chawda spotted Vihaan fall. He rushed the boy to Sahyog hospital nearby where the doctor conducted preliminary tests and referred him to Sterling hospital. Nayan took the injured child to Sterling before intimating school director Nitika Chiripal. Principal Anita Verma admitted that the accident happened at their school. Director Nitika Chiripal said, “We have installed grilles on all windows and are conducting a safety audit.”
Yogesh Avasthi
Posted On Saturday, December 22, 2012 (http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/article/2/20121222201212220212192067872e195/Boy-falls-from-school-window.html)
For four days, Vihaan Bhagat fought for his life. The 6-year-old schoolboy had plunged from the second floor room of Shanti Asiatic School where he studies in Class 1. His horrified classmates watched helplessly as he hit the ground, face down. The injured child was rushed to Sterling hospital where the medical staff battled to save his life. His parents who mounted a round-the-clock vigil outside the intensive care unit kept wondering how the school that charged Rs 60,000 as fee from them could overlook the safety of young students. The institute is situated off S P Ring Road.
AUTHORITIES TO BE BLAMED
Vihaan is finally out of danger but it will take him months to recover from the injuries to his wrist, left elbow and forehead. Doctors also fear he could develop neurological problems due to the blow to his head, said his mother Nilu Kalapi Bhagat who blames her son’s condition on the negligence of teachers as well as school authorities. “The incident occurred on December 12 when 50-60 students of B and C division were taken for dance practice on the second floor. After practice got over, halfway down the hall, the dance teacher let the children return to their classrooms by themselves. Some kids, including Vihaan, went back to the second floor. They entered the audio-visual room and began playing there. Somehow, my son fell through the window. It was the teacher’s job to ensure that the kids reach their classroom safely. Such carelessness can never be excused.”
 |
| Vihaan Bhagat, who
fell face down, received injuries to his wrist, elbow
and forehead |
NO SAFETY FEATURES
Most classrooms in the school have large windows without grilles, says Nilu, adding, “The corridors and balconies have railings that barely comes up to a child’s thighs. It is perplexing how the structure received necessary clearance. We had raised this issue with the school management during admission time. The authorities had promised to address the issue but never followed up on it. We hope other parents are more careful and check out the premises of schools before admitting their children. No parent should have to undergo such a situation. It is terrifying.”
Doctors discharged Vihaan on Thursday. Now, the Bhagats plan to register a police case. “The police did approach us. But we were so worried about Vihaan who was in the ICU at the time that we told the cops we would talk to them later.” Meanwhile, sources in the school said, “The children were playing in the AV room when they were spotted by a teacher. She reported it to the coordinator. By the time the coordinator reached the room, the child fell.”
GRILLES INSTALLED
Housekeeping supervisor Nayan Chawda spotted Vihaan fall. He rushed the boy to Sahyog hospital nearby where the doctor conducted preliminary tests and referred him to Sterling hospital. Nayan took the injured child to Sterling before intimating school director Nitika Chiripal. Principal Anita Verma admitted that the accident happened at their school. Director Nitika Chiripal said, “We have installed grilles on all windows and are conducting a safety audit.”
