from Sanjay Borkar
for Daijiworld Media Network - Margao (GA)

Margao, Jun 14: At least five students were hospitalized on Friday June 14 afternoon, after roof of a primary school collapsed on them at Velsaon-Pallem.

Incident happened at a time when the students were supposed to leave for home.  As it was raining heavily they were wearing raincoats and standing in the veranda. Unfortunately the roof of the school collapsed on them, injuring five.  The injured have been identified as Deepa Lamani (9), Papi Sheikh (9), Pratika Lakmali (6), Rajiya Sheikh (6) and Vinay Lakmali (4)

Injured students were rushed to primary health center for first aid. Later they were admitted in Margao Hospicio hospital. They were discharged a little later.

It could be recalled here that there was an outcry from the parents about the dilapidated condition of the school building for long. But the school administration as well as the government had turned a deaf ear to their voices.

Had the government taken appropriate steps towards to repair the building, this tragedy would not have taken place, said one of the locals.

All together 12 students study in this primary school.

Most of the primary schools in the state are in dilapidated state, but they are ignored.