Pebbles fell, teachers told us to sit: Student on moments before roof caved in

The teachers at the primary school building that collapsed earlier in the day in Rajasthan’s Jhalawar, claiming the lives of seven students, were alerted by the children that something was amiss. However, the teachers, who were having breakfast at the time, did not pay heed to the students' urgent plea and instead told them to return to their classroom.

"Pebbles were falling. When the students told the teachers, they scolded them and kept having breakfast. If the children were taken out, the accident would not have happened," a student told India Today TV.

The teachers were allegedly having breakfast outside the area where the roof collapsed — the same place where students from Class 1 to 8 had gathered for the morning assembly.

"The children were made to sit inside the class for prayer. The teachers were having breakfast. When pebbles started falling inside, the children told the teachers. The teachers scolded the children and asked them to sit back in class. After that, the wall gave way and the roof fell on the children. Many children ran here and there to escape, with many getting buried under the rubble. After that the children were taken out with the help of the villagers," an eighth-standard student said.

According to sources, the walls and roof of the school were in a dilapidated condition. Cement had been applied and plastering done just a month ago.

FIVE TEACHERS SUSPENDED FOR CRIMINAL NEGLIGENCE

Shortly after the incident, five teachers were suspended for criminal negligence that led to the deaths of seven children and left more than a dozen injured.

Several of the young children studying at the Government High Primary School in Pimplod, Jhalawar district of Rajasthan, had no idea that such criminal callousness by the authorities would result in immense grief for their families.

More than a dozen children were pulled out from under the debris by villagers. The injured were taken to the nearest health center.

"The accident in the school building at Pimplod, Manoharthana is extremely sad and painful. The loss of lives and injuries to many children is heartbreaking," former Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje said.

The tragedy sparked growing anger among the residents of Pimplod village in the Manoharthana police station area of Jhalawar, as accusations emerged that teachers ignored students’ warnings about pebbles falling.

After the incident, the district administration acted swiftly. The district collector announced the suspension of five officials from the education department, including teachers.

"We had earlier complained about the school's poor condition, but no action was taken," a relative of one of the students told India Today TV.

"We had issued orders in June that children should not be made to sit in any dilapidated school building, and that we should be informed. We also repaired several such buildings. There was clear negligence on the part of the teachers. Five people from the education department have been suspended. An inquiry committee has been formed, and further action will be taken once the report is submitted," said Jhalawar District Collector Ajay Singh Rathore.

BLACK SPOT ON US: SACHIN PILOT

Congress leader and former Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot said that he was "pained" by the incident and demanded strict action against those responsible.

Reacting to Rajasthan Education Minister's claims of thousands of schools in the state in a dilapidated state, Pilot said, "Unfortunate statement by the education minister. BJP is in power in Rajasthan & Centre. BJP govt have completed 1.5-2 years now. His government should have identified schools which needs maintenance and upkeep."

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