Surat: In the wake of the tragic TRP Game Zone fire in Rajkot, which claimed the lives of 27 people including children, a substantial number of schools across Gujarat have been sealed due to issues with fire safety and building use clearances (BUCs). This sweeping action has affected approximately 600-700 schools statewide.

With summer vacations ending on June 13, school administrations have urged the state government for assistance, highlighting that any delay in reopening would negatively impact students. Concerned parents have been seeking clarity on the situation.

On Friday, the Swanirbhar Shala Sanchalak Mandal, an association of self-financed schools, presented their concerns to Gujarat Education Minister Praful Panseriya. In response, Panseriya assured that he would bring the matter to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel's attention soon.

Speaking to The Indian Express, Panseriya confirmed that hundreds of private schools have been sealed for lacking BUCs and fire safety clearances. He noted that civic authorities are adhering to guidelines set by the Gujarat High Court. Some schools in Surat, which were incorporated into city limits after a delimitation exercise, are facing difficulties in obtaining BUCs.

Panseriya expressed confidence that the High Court would consider the challenges faced by students and parents and find a suitable resolution to avoid disruption in education. He emphasized that the court's directives would be followed.

The school representatives acknowledged the necessity of proper fire safety measures but pointed out that most of the sealed schools have valid fire safety clearances, with BUCs being the primary issue. Panseriya pledged to discuss these concerns with the Chief Minister.

The Rajkot fire on May 25 triggered state-wide enforcement actions, leading to the sealing of multiple commercial buildings, hospitals, and educational institutions for lacking necessary fire safety and building use permits. This crackdown followed a stern warning from the Gujarat High Court, which took suo motu cognizance of the fire incident. The court had harshly criticized the state government for the lapse, highlighting that the game zone operated without fire safety clearance.

Among the sealed facilities, about 74 buildings in Surat alone house approximately 200 schools. Similar actions have been taken in Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar, with six and four school buildings sealed, respectively. Surat District Education Officer Bhagirath Parmar reported that the sealed buildings host a mix of primary, secondary, and higher secondary schools.

The school association has also submitted a memorandum to Surat Municipal Commissioner Shalini Agrawal, Mayor Daxesh Mawani, and other officials, requesting the reopening of schools that possess valid fire safety clearances.