According to Jivan Bharati School Mandal secretary Champaklal Shah, the supervisor of the health department had told Principal Kantibhai that the effects of fumigation would last for only 15 minutes and that they could resume teaching after that. But immediately after students entered the classrooms, one Monica complained of giddiness and was sent home. Her parents later admitted her to the hospital for a check up.

Central Zone Officer M D Daruwala, however, claimed that he had advised the school authorities to close the school for the day, though the principal insisted on continuing with the classes.

``We were kept in dark about the after-effects of fumigation,'' Shah alleged, holding the civic authorities responsible for the girl's condition.

``Had they told us we would not have sent students to the class rooms. And as it is, we resumed teaching after 90 minutes,'' he added.

However, if Shah is to be believed, the problem had actually been caused by ``multiple authorities'' issuing directives. After the flood waters receded, the district education officer had asked the school authorities to resume classes from September 28, he said, adding that the students were informed accordingly. But the DEO ordered reopening of those schools unaffected by flood from September 23 and as Jivan Bharati fell in this category, it reopened last week, he said.

Again on September 28, Municipal Commissioner S Jagadeesan directed schools to obtain a No-Objection Certificate from the zonal officer with regards to cleanliness, before resuming classes.

``We then went to the zonal office and were given a form to give them details about the cleanliness standards. We were told that the zonal officer would visit the school at 1 pm for checking,'' he added.

According to Shah, SMC workers arrived at 11.30 am to spray disinfectant and though they were asked to come after school hours they insisted on carrying out the fumigation between 12 and 3 pm and the authorities had no alternative but to agree as it was a necessary criterion to get a NOC.