A 14-year-old student died after suffering an electric shock during a physical training (PT) session on the rooftop of Suman Government School in the Mandarwaja area of Surat, Gujarat. The incident has raised questions over safety arrangements at the school, while the administration has ordered an investigation and removed the PT teacher from service as an initial administrative action.
According to the school administration, the PT class was shifted to the rooftop because the school playground was occupied by students from three schools operating on the same campus who were having their mid-day meal. During the session, a 14-year-old student, Abdul Rahman, reportedly slipped and came into contact with an iron pipe carrying electric current. He sustained a severe electric shock.
According to students who witnessed the incident, Abdul Rahman remained in contact with the current for some time before losing consciousness. A teacher at the scene used a wooden object to separate him from the electrified pipe and then attempted first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The school principal immediately took the student to hospital in a private vehicle, where doctors declared him dead. Doctors said the student had clear burn marks consistent with an electric shock, confirming that the cause of death was electrocution.
Following the incident, a team from the municipal corporation's electricity department conducted a technical inspection. The preliminary investigation found that an electrical wire passing through the iron pipe on the rooftop had been left exposed. Officials said the wiring had not been secured properly, causing the entire metal pipe to become live with electric current. During the inspection, a technician also received an electric shock while examining the pipe, confirming that it was carrying electricity. Experts stated that the situation could have been more dangerous if rainwater had accumulated on the rooftop, as the current could have spread through the water.
The incident has raised concerns over compliance with basic safety standards in government schools. Questions have been raised over why students were allowed to conduct physical activities on a rooftop containing electrical infrastructure, whether the electrical wiring had undergone regular inspections, and whether the relevant departments had ensured compliance with safety standards. Experts said periodic inspections of electrical systems, building safety and emergency preparedness are necessary in schools to help prevent such incidents.
Abdul Rahman's family is from an economically modest background. His father, Salim Sheikh, earns a livelihood by driving an auto-rickshaw. The family has three children. Following the incident, family members expressed their anger at the hospital and demanded strict action against those responsible, stating that the incident could have been avoided if the school premises had been safe.
The school administration said a detailed inquiry would determine the exact cause of the incident and identify any lapses. As an initial administrative measure, PT teacher Sheikh Bahauddin Azimuddin, who had been serving since June 2025, has been removed from service. Officials said the investigation would not be limited to the teacher's role but would also examine the school's safety arrangements, building management and electrical system.
Experts said schools should conduct regular electrical safety audits, building inspections, emergency evacuation planning and first-aid training for teachers. They also said students should be made aware of electrical hazards and safe behaviour during emergency situations.
