Agartala, Oct 29: A shocking safety lapse at Umakanta English Medium School in Agartala has left a third-grade student critically injured after a ceiling fan collapsed during class hours on Tuesday. The incident triggered panic among students and alarm among parents, raising serious questions about maintenance and infrastructure standards at government-aided schools.
According to eyewitnesses, the fan had been making unusual noises and rotating slowly for several days, but no corrective action was taken despite repeated complaints. During class, the fan suddenly detached and fell on the child, causing severe head injuries. The student was immediately rushed to the hospital, accompanied by the school principal.
Doctors reportedly administered multiple stitches, and the family is anxiously awaiting CT scan results. The boy’s father expressed anguish over the incident but refrained from openly criticizing the school, fearing repercussions. “We trusted the school with our child’s safety. This negligence is unimaginable,” he said.
A teacher present during the incident confirmed that the faulty fan had long been a concern. “It had been malfunctioning for quite some time. We had raised the issue earlier,” the teacher admitted. Students also corroborated this, saying their complaints to the headmaster went unanswered.
Several parents, visibly distressed, demanded strict accountability and immediate safety audits. One guardian remarked, “Ever since the school was brought under the Vidyajyoti scheme, we’ve been paying fees, yet maintenance and safety standards have deteriorated.”
As of now, the school administration has not issued an official statement. However, the Education Department is likely to initiate an inquiry into the incident. The episode has reignited public concern over infrastructure safety in government and government-aided schools, highlighting the urgent need for regular inspections and maintenance to prevent such avoidable tragedies.
