Sindh and Punjab announce strict safety inspections for school buildings

What happened

The Sindh School Education and Literacy Department has introduced a zero-tolerance policy regarding private schools operating in dangerous or structurally unsafe buildings [1]. Following a meeting chaired by the secretary of school education on October 16, authorities were directed to launch a comprehensive inspection drive [1].

According to a letter dated October 16 and signed by Additional Director Registration Rafia Javed, the Sindh government has ordered private schools to ensure structural integrity, obtain valid fitness certificates, and inspect gas and electrical installations [2]. The directive follows a building collapse in Peshawar [2].

Key requirements and actions include:

• Authorities must identify buildings classified as dangerous, partially damaged, or structurally unsafe [1].
• Educational activities must be immediately suspended in unsafe buildings or affected sections [1, 2].
• School owners and principals are responsible for student and staff safety [1, 2].
• Negligence or failure to comply with directives may result in legal action [1, 2].
• The Directorate General of Inspection and Registration of Private Institutions must submit a report within 15 days detailing inspections, identified unsafe buildings, affected students, and relocation arrangements [1].
• Regulatory actions, including potential closures, will be taken against institutions in unsafe premises [1].
• Authorities will also identify and initiate legal proceedings against unregistered educational institutions [1].

In Punjab, the government has decided to commission a third-party audit of school buildings using engineers registered with the Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) [3]. In Rawalpindi, a survey of 8,300 schools is currently underway, consisting of 7,000 private and 1,300 government schools [3]. The administration has formed 47 inspection teams, including members from the District Education Authority, Rescue 1122, Civil Defence, and local government bodies, to assess structural conditions, fire safety, and emergency preparedness [3]. As of the report, no schools in Rawalpindi have been sealed due to dilapidated buildings [3].

Who is affected

• Private school owners, principals, and administrators in Sindh are required to comply with safety standards and notify the directorate if buildings are dilapidated or hazardous [2].
• Students and staff in Sindh studying in unsafe buildings are to be shifted to safe, suitable alternative locations to prevent educational disruption [1]. The directorate will facilitate transfers to nearby safe institutions [2].
• Private and government schools in Rawalpindi, Punjab, are subject to structural assessments and third-party audits [3].