HYDERABAD: Private and minority school bodies have raised concerns that proposed fire safety rules could push low-budget institutions into financial strain, even as they backed the government’s move to seek public feedback on amendments to the Fire Services Act.
The All India Muslim Educational Society and the Confederation of Minority Institutions submitted a set of recommendations, asking the government to classify schools based on size, infrastructure and fee levels instead of applying the same rules across the board. Smaller schools, they said, could be asked to adopt basic measures such as fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, sand buckets and clear signage, while advanced systems remain limited to larger or high-rise buildings.
They said the safety of students and staff remained non-negotiable, but uniform and high-cost requirements could affect schools that run on nominal fees and serve economically weaker sections. They said thousands of such schools operate in a competitive environment, and expensive compliance without financial support could lead to operational difficulties and even closures, affecting access to education.
They also sought subsidies, grants or reimbursements, along with low-interest or interest-free loans to ease the burden. A phased timeline, bulk procurement of equipment at lower cost, and training through mock drills were suggested as practical steps.
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