TN Minister Aadhav seeks MLAs' inputs on safety audit to rebuild shaky schools

CHENNAI: PWD Minister Aadhav Arjuna on Monday said that a stability assessment of around 6,620 educational institutions maintained by the PWD would be conducted.

During the debate on demands for grants for the School Education Department, he said schools and colleges would be classified into three categories after the PWD completed the assessment. "If a school building gets a red card, it will be sealed, and no one can use it. If it falls under the yellow category, it requires immediate attention, and the department will take the necessary action. If the building gets a green signal, it can be used for the next five years without any hindrance," Aadhav said.

Seeking the support of MLAs, he said the government would provide the assessment reports of the buildings to all MLAs, who could conduct field visits and submit their feedback to the government. "Maintenance work is a major issue in educational institutions. It will be rectified, and it is the government's duty," Aadhav said.

Following this, School Education Minister Rajmohan said the initiative aimed to ensure the safety of school buildings. "We are working closely on this issue," Rajmohan said.

Tamil Nadu has 6,279 higher and higher secondary schools, 177 arts colleges, 11 engineering colleges, 55 polytechnic colleges, and 98 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs).