As a father of a 10 year old daughter, the news about the death of a Class IV student at GD Goenka school (Indirapuram) has left me shaken. Indirapuram News
Isn't it supposed to be a reputed school? A school that claims to have covered all safety and security loopholes? But what does the reports say: The boy slipped on the floor and the floor was wet.
As more details trickle in, I can't help thinking about the wrought iron staircase which my daughter has to climb every day to reach her 2nd floor class in Apeejay school, Shekh Sarai. There are elevators, but kids aren't allowed to take it; these are meant for staff only.
The iron staircase looks very industrial and the first time I dropped her I couldn't help thinking about the hazards: What if students rush down the steps when school ends and one misses the step and tumble on another and then on another? What if in all the hurry, someone pushes someone. It would be a hard task for these kids to balance oneself, what with an overweight bag on their backs. Neighbourhood News
I have bad memories from my own past: In Don Bosco school, a classmate of mine had put his leg in front of me while I was running down the stairs. The result: I had a fracture. But the discovery was made not before I had to suffer the entire day in agony, the arm swelling up, the school having done its 'job' of applying first aid. I remember dad was upset because he was not informed immediately.
I also remember an incident when a Class 1 boy was locked inside the school bathroom by the chowkidar because he didn't care to check. The horror of the story was that the school was shut for the summer vacation from the next day itself. The result: By the time the boy was discovered after a few days, he had died screaming and starving! Apartment Management Software
Oh, wasn't it just the other day when her school van got stranded for an hour on the road thanks to rain-inflicted traffic! "I was so hungry and hot," she said. Another time, one of the wheels had a puncture and she told me how they were all packed like sardines into another van when they were literally sitting on each other's laps.
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I know, I know her school principal had called all parents to tell us that they have introduced bigger school busses. "They are safer, the drivers are good," we were told. But I trust my own neighbourhood driver more. Besides, I suspected it was more a money making venture for the school given the teachers were as insistent as sales guys. Visitor Management Software
The other big worry of mine is the swimming pool. During her summer vacation coaching, I had seen her virtually drowning when she swam to the deep end of the pool. The guards and the coaches had no idea until I screamed for their attention. Well, I was there, but what about the times when she attends her regular swimming classes when daddy isn't around!
Sometimes I worry about a football or a cricket ball hitting my daughter's head when her seniors play in the open field. I also worry about sharp pencils and pointed compasses. What if by accident her eyes get pierced! Or what if a classmate of hers jabbed her in the eye following an impulsive outburst! Society Management Software
Many a times Tara had come home with bruises on her knees or arms. She fell down while playing, she said. Once she was pushed by her friend while skating and she had a bad fall! Anything could have happened. While these are all part of growing up, as a dad I can't but worry.
For earthquakes, kids were taught how to crawl under their tables; as for fire, I have no idea. Indeed, this latest tragedy has woken me up: I shall visit the school to enquire about the safety features. With cases of dengue on the rise, I will also go to check what precautions the school has taken.
Yes, I never ignore the phone during her school hours. What if it is the school calling in an emergency!
