New Delhi, July 27 -- A day after seven students died in a school building collapse incident in Jhalawar district of Rajasthan, the Centre asked all states and Union Territories (UTs) to immediately conduct safety audits of schools and public facilities used by children in accordance with national safety codes and disaster management guidelines. In an advisory issued on Saturday, the Union ministry of education (MoE) has urged states and UT administrations to thoroughly assess structural integrity along with fire safety, emergency exits, and electrical wiring. It also called for training for staff and students in emergency preparedness, and the provision of psychosocial support through counselling and peer networks. The ministry's advisory comes after "a number of tragic incidents" occurred in the recent past in schools, "leading to injury and untimely tragic loss of young lives." "These incidents related to preventable infrastructure failures and safety lapses demand immediate and concerted action from all responsible authorities and stakeholders," the ministry said in its letter sent to chief secretaries of all states and UTs. The advisory is aimed at avoiding any further loss of life due to lack of preparedness or dilapidated infrastructure, said a senior official from the department of school education and literary (DoSEL) of the education ministry. "We have asked them to start acting immediately and we will be following up with states and UTs regarding implementation of our recommendations," the official said on anonymity. The ministry also recommended the states and UTs to ensure that staff and students are trained in emergency preparedness, including evacuation drills, first aid, and safety protocols while strengthening the collaboration with local authorities for periodic training and mock drills. It further said that states and UTs ensure mental health and emotional well-being of students through counselling services, peer support systems, and community engagement alongside physical safety....