Udupi: Four students sustained injuries and were hospitalised after an unidentified object exploded when they set fire to a pile of dry garbage at a government higher primary school in Kukkuje. The incident has prompted action from the education department, which has suspended the school’s headmaster for alleged dereliction of duty.
Explosion occurs during garbage burning
According to reports, the incident took place at the Government Higher Primary School in Kukkuje when students set fire to a heap of dry garbage within the school premises. During the burning process, an unidentified object present in the garbage pile suddenly exploded.
The explosion left four students injured. School authorities and local residents immediately rushed the injured children for medical treatment. All four students were admitted to hospital, where they are undergoing treatment.
Officials have not yet identified the object that caused the explosion, and further inquiries are expected to determine how it ended up in the garbage heap.
Education department takes action
Following the incident, the Department of School Education initiated disciplinary action against the school’s headmaster, Dayananda Naik.
The deputy director (administration) of the Department of School Education, Udupi district, issued a suspension order against the headmaster. The action was taken based on strict instructions from the Chief Executive Officer of the Zilla Panchayat.
Officials cited dereliction of duty as the reason for the suspension, indicating concerns regarding supervision and safety measures within the school premises.
Investigation into the incident
Authorities are expected to conduct a detailed investigation into the circumstances that led to the explosion. The inquiry is likely to examine whether adequate safety protocols were in place and how students gained access to the garbage pile.
Officials will also investigate the nature of the unidentified object and whether negligence contributed to the incident.
The findings of the investigation may determine if further action is required against individuals responsible for maintaining safety standards at the school.
Safety concerns raised
The incident has raised concerns about student safety in educational institutions and the need for stricter monitoring of potentially hazardous materials within school premises.
Education department officials are expected to review safety practices and issue necessary guidelines to prevent similar incidents in the future. Parents and local residents have also called for enhanced safety measures to ensure the well-being of students.
Authorities stress accountability
The suspension of the headmaster reflects the administration’s emphasis on accountability in matters involving student safety. Officials have reiterated that educational institutions must maintain a secure environment and ensure that proper supervision is exercised at all times.
As the investigation progresses, authorities are expected to take further steps based on the findings to prevent such incidents from recurring in schools across the district.