Rajasthan orders demolition of unsafe school buildings, bans classes in dilapidated structures
Synopsis
Rajasthan has ordered the demolition of all court-surveyed dilapidated school buildings and banned classes in unsafe structures — a directive backed by judicial pressure and now tied to a statewide infrastructure audit. With alternative arrangements mandated and a school standards authority in the works under NEP 2020, this is the state's most comprehensive school safety push in recent memory.
Key Takeaways
The Rajasthan School Education Department on 7 July ordered demolition of all school buildings declared dilapidated across the state.
Additional Chief Secretary Rajesh Yadav directed District Education Officers to ban classes in unsafe structures and make immediate alternative arrangements.
A statewide survey of dilapidated school buildings is underway in compliance with court directions .
The review also covered progress of KGBVs , Swami Vivekananda Government Model Schools , PM JANMAN , and pending civil infrastructure projects.
The State School Standards Authority (SSSA) under NEP 2020 is being established; Rajasthan is studying models from other states to build a transparent framework for both government and private schools.
The Rajasthan School Education Department on 7 July directed district officials across the state to immediately demolish school buildings declared dilapidated and strictly prohibit students from attending classes in such structures, signalling zero tolerance for unsafe learning environments. The order follows a court-mandated statewide survey of crumbling school infrastructure.
What the Order Says
Additional Chief Secretary (School Education) Rajesh Yadav issued the directive while chairing a review meeting at the Education Complex auditorium in Jaipur on Tuesday. He instructed all District Education Officers to treat demolition of unsafe buildings as a priority and to ensure that no student is made to study either inside hazardous structures or in the open.
Yadav further directed officials to put in place immediate alternative arrangements wherever school premises have been declared unsafe, so that education continues without disruption.
Court-Mandated Survey Underway
The department confirmed it is conducting a statewide survey of dilapidated school buildings in compliance with court directions. Action will be taken based on the survey findings to secure learning environments for students. The survey underscores that the issue is not isolated — unsafe school infrastructure has been flagged by courts as a systemic concern requiring urgent state-level intervention.
Broader Infrastructure Review
The review meeting also assessed progress across several flagship programmes, including Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBVs), Swami Vivekananda Government Model Schools, PM JANMAN, special category schools, and various civil infrastructure projects. Yadav directed that all pending construction and repair works be completed within set timelines.
RSCERT Director Shweta Phagaria briefed the meeting on the proposed establishment of the State School Standards Authority (SSSA) under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, outlining workshops conducted so far and progress achieved.
Push for a Transparent School Standards Framework
State Project Director and Commissioner Rashmi Sharma advised officials to study SSSA models adopted by other states and incorporate best practices into Rajasthan's own framework. She stressed the need to build a transparent, effective, and quality-driven school standards system applicable to both government and private schools across the state.
The meeting was attended by senior departmental officials including Additional State Project Director Ashok Kumar Meena and representatives from various departmental wings. With a court-backed survey in progress and a clear demolition mandate now in place, the coming weeks will be critical for how swiftly the state converts directives into action on the ground.
Point of View
It could shift accountability in ways that one-off demolition orders cannot. The real test will come in the survey's findings and whether the state publishes them.
NationPress
8 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has Rajasthan ordered demolition of school buildings?
The Rajasthan School Education Department has ordered demolition of school buildings declared dilapidated to protect student safety, following court directions that mandated a statewide survey of unsafe school infrastructure. Classes in such buildings have been strictly prohibited.
Who issued the directive and what does it cover?
Additional Chief Secretary (School Education) Rajesh Yadav issued the directive at a review meeting in Jaipur on Tuesday. It instructs all District Education Officers to prioritise demolition of unsafe buildings, ban classes in them, and ensure immediate alternative arrangements for students.
What is the statewide survey of dilapidated school buildings?
The Rajasthan School Education Department is conducting a comprehensive survey of dilapidated school buildings across the state in compliance with court directions. Survey findings will determine what further action is taken to secure learning environments.
What is the State School Standards Authority (SSSA) being set up in Rajasthan?
The SSSA is a regulatory body being established under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 to set and enforce quality standards for both government and private schools in Rajasthan. Officials have been asked to study models from other states and incorporate best practices into the framework.
Which other programmes were reviewed at the meeting?
The meeting reviewed progress of Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBVs), Swami Vivekananda Government Model Schools, PM JANMAN, special category schools, and various pending civil infrastructure projects, with officials directed to ensure time-bound completion.
