Key Takeaways
- Rawalpindi district administration has initiated safety inspections of 8,300 schools.
- Inspections cover structural stability, fire safety and emergency preparedness.
- All Pakistan Private Schools Management Association requests revised schedule.
The Rawalpindi district administration has launched safety inspections of 8,300 public and private schools, with teams required to complete their reports by Tuesday, October 20. The inspections, which began on Sunday, are being conducted daily from 8 AM to 8 PM.
District Education Authority Chief Executive Officer Yaseen Khan Baloch stated that the inspections are covering 7,000 private schools and 1,300 government schools across the district. The focus areas include structural stability, dangerous buildings, fire-safety measures, emergency preparedness, and security arrangements.
Assistant commissioners in City, Cantonment, Saddar, Kallar Syedan, Kahuta, Taxila, and Gujar Khan are supervising the audits. The District Education Authority is providing school data and other assistance to the inspection teams.
The All Pakistan Private Schools Management Association (APPSMA) has expressed concerns, requesting the deputy commissioner to revise the schedule. The association believes that institutions need sufficient time to prepare documents and review safety arrangements.
APPSMA stated that technical assessments, expert consultations, equipment purchases, and structural changes require time. The association also called for schools to receive advance information about inspection standards, required safety measures, documentation, and procedures.
Inspection teams include representatives from the District Education Authority, Rescue 1122, Civil Defence, and relevant local government bodies. The exercise aims to prevent incidents similar to those reported in Peshawar and Lahore.
The inspections are part of a broader effort to ensure the safety and security of students and staff in Rawalpindi’s educational institutions. The district administration is committed to addressing any identified issues to safeguard the well-being of all students.
