A portion of an old structure of the Government KMUP School, Eroor, in Ernakulam district of Kerala collapsed in heavy rain on Sunday (July 27, 2025) night. A potential tragedy was averted since the incident took place during night on a holiday.
The building, which once served as a kitchen, was no longer in use as it has been in a dilapidated state for long. Local residents have been demanding its demolition since it stood on the school campus. Over 200 students from the neighbourhood attend the school.
The recent incident in which 13-year-old M. Midhun was electrocuted by a low-hanging electric wire over the cycle shed of the Thevalakkara Boys High School in Kollam district has drawn attention to how oversight left school students vulnerable.
“The building is no longer in use and has been marked out for demolition. A contractor has been assigned to do the work. He will demolish the building once he finishes the maintenance works of two other schools that under way. The building has been locked, with no access to either students or teachers. It has not been issued fitness certificate either,” said Rema Santhosh, Thripunithura municipal chairperson.
A local resident said he had made a Facebook post on the threat posed by the old building on August 23, 2024. “However, the authorities showed scant regard. The protruding iron rods of the old structure still poses a threat,” he said.
It is also pointed out that the old building continues to pose a threat to an aganwadi and a lower primary school in the immediate vicinity.