News India Live, Digital Desk: Madras High Court has put the administration in the dock by making very harsh remarks on the education system and safety of schools. While hearing the case of the tragic death of a small girl student studying in UKG in the school premises, the court said that schools are now looking less like temples of education and more like ‘business centres’. This comment of Justice has put a big question mark on the functioning of private schools across the country and the claims of safety of children. Is the life of an innocent child worth nothing? The case is of a private school, where a UKG student lost her life due to lapse in security. Taking cognizance of this incident, the court said that parents leave their children in the trust of schools, but school managements are only interested in charging huge fees. The court made it clear that if any untoward incident happens to a child inside the school premises, it will be the direct responsibility of the school management. This cannot be shrugged off as just an ‘accident’. ‘Marketization of education’ poses a threat to children. During the hearing, the court expressed deep concern over the fact that nowadays schools are focused only on infrastructure and advertisements, while safety norms are being sidelined. Madras High Court said that educational institutions have to understand their responsibilities. Such carelessness towards the safety of children will not be tolerated at all. The court asked in a strict tone whether these schools want to fill their coffers only by compromising the safety of innocent children? Need for safety audit and strict rules. The High Court directed the government and concerned departments to make safety audit mandatory in schools. Just making rules on paper will not save the lives of innocent people. The court demanded that every school should have emergency medical arrangements and trained staff, so that such tragic incidents can be prevented in time. There are also indications of strict legal action being taken against the officials and school management found guilty in this case. There is huge anger among the parents, demand for justice. There is an atmosphere of fear and anger among the parents since this tragic incident. Seeking justice for the victim’s family, the court clarified that compensation does not bring back anyone’s life, but it is necessary to set an example so that this does not happen to any other innocent person in future. This decision can prove to be a milestone in the future to curb the arbitrariness of private schools.