Key Takeaways
- Private schools in Punjab can now obtain building fitness certificates from any engineer or firm registered with the Pakistan Engineering Council.
- The change was announced by the Punjab School Education Department to offer regulatory relief to educational institutions.
- The new policy aims to expedite the process of obtaining necessary certificates for school registration.
The Punjab School Education Department has relaxed its building fitness certificate requirements for private schools, allowing them to secure these essential documents from a wider range of sources. This move is aimed at providing greater flexibility and expediting the certification process.
Previously, private schools were required to obtain their building fitness certificates exclusively from the provincial Communication and Works (C&W) department. However, under the new policy, they can now approach any engineer or firm registered with the Pakistan Engineering Council for this purpose. This change was announced by the department in a recent statement.
The decision comes as part of efforts to streamline administrative procedures and reduce bureaucratic hurdles faced by private educational institutions. According to Tariq Mahmood, CEO of Education Tariq Mahmood, a building fitness certificate remains mandatory for school registration processes. He stressed that new safety arrangements are crucial to protect both students and staff.
The School Education Department has directed all district registration authorities to ensure compliance with the new orders. This directive is expected to facilitate smoother operations and reduce delays in obtaining necessary certificates. Mahmood urged private educational institutions across Lahore and the rest of Punjab to obtain their fitness certificates without delay, highlighting the importance of adhering to safety regulations.
Under the revised policy, a building fitness certificate can also be issued by a civil engineer registered with the Pakistan Engineering Council. This flexibility is intended to make the process more accessible and efficient for schools. The department has emphasized that all district registration authorities must ensure compliance with these new orders to maintain consistency across the province.
The easing of regulations is seen as a positive step towards improving the overall educational environment in Punjab. By allowing multiple sources to issue building fitness certificates, the government aims to streamline administrative processes and provide greater support to private schools.
