KP forms committees to inspect private school buildings after Peshawar tragedy

What happened

A classroom roof collapsed at a private school in the Deir Colony area of Peshawar, resulting in a tragedy that killed dozens of people [1, 3]. The school owner, Khan Muhammad, stated that a room on the second floor gave way first, which caused the rooms below it to collapse [3]. He attributed the incident to recent rainfall, noting that the area had experienced several days of rain and that the school’s foundation was laid approximately 18 months ago [3]. Khan Muhammad also stated that around 30 children were in the affected classroom and that he called teachers to assist with the evacuation of children [3].

In response, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has taken several actions:

• The Elementary and Secondary Education Department has established district-level inquiry committees to inspect private school buildings across the province [1].
• These committees, led by district monitoring officers and including officials from the education department and the Communications and Works Department, must submit detailed reports and recommendations within three days of the notification [1].
• The committees will assess structural strength, including roofs, walls, columns, beams, foundations, and staircases [1].
• Buildings will be classified into three categories: safe, requiring repairs, or potentially unsafe [1].
• The government will inspect both public and private educational institutions throughout the province [3].
• Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed a comprehensive investigation into the incident and ordered legal action against those found responsible [2].
• Governor Faisal Karim Kundi informed the Prime Minister that the school owner has been arrested and an inquiry has been initiated [2].
• Education Secretary Inayatullah Waseem stated the building was in a dilapidated condition and noted the department had received no prior information regarding its structural state [3].

Who is affected

• Students and teaching staff in private schools across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa [1].
• The approximately 350 students enrolled at the Peshawar school where the collapse occurred [3].
• The families of the deceased and the injured children [2, 3].

What students should do next

• The government has committed to providing the best possible medical treatment to the injured and bearing the medical expenses of the injured children [2, 3].
• The Prime Minister has instructed that all possible assistance be provided to the affected families [2].