Key Takeaways
- Punjab government issued notices to 744 unregistered educational institutions following two building collapses.
- 15 students died in the incidents, with one collapse occurring on June 30 and another on July 2.
- Private school owners argue for stricter safety measures rather than collective punishment.
Following the tragic deaths of 15 students in two building collapses at private educational institutions in Lahore, Punjab’s provincial government has launched a crackdown on unregistered schools and academies. The incidents, which occurred within days of each other, have sparked concerns among private school owners about the fairness and transparency of the government's actions.
The first incident took place on June 30 when the roof of a private tuition centre in Lahore’s Kahna area collapsed during a class session. At least 14 children, aged between 5 and 16, died in the collapse, while several others were injured. The building was reportedly unregistered and operating from an old and structurally unsafe building. Police detained the building owner and contractor for investigation into possible negligence.
Two days later, on July 2, a portion of an under-construction building collapsed during a summer camp at a private school in Lahore’s Baghbanpura area. An eight-year-old student died, while four others sustained injuries. Rescue teams deployed by Rescue 1122 managed to save more than 10 children from the debris.
In response to these incidents, the Punjab government issued notices to 744 unregistered educational institutions on July 10, giving them three days to apply for registration or face legal action and fines ranging from Rs. 300,000 to Rs. 4 million under the Punjab Private Educational Institutions Ordinance, 1984. The government also mandated building fitness certificates as a prerequisite for school operation.
Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat stated that the government would show zero tolerance for violations and prioritised student safety. However, private school representatives have expressed dissatisfaction with the government's approach. They argue that stricter safety measures should be enforced through fair and transparent procedures rather than collective punishment of all registered schools.
Kahna Roof Collapse Killed 14 Children The first incident took place on June 30 at a private tuition centre in Lahore’s Kahna area. The centre was operating inside a residential building where construction work was reportedly underway. The roof collapsed during a class and trapped students and a teacher under the debris. At least 14 children, aged between 5 and 16, died in the collapse. Several others suffered injuries. Police later detained the building owner and contractor as part of an investigation into possible negligence.
Baghbanpura School Collapse Killed One Child The second incident occurred two days later at a private school in Lahore’s Baghbanpura area. A portion of the under-construction building collapsed while the school was holding a summer camp. Eight-year-old student died in the incident, while four other people sustained injuries. Rescue 1122 deployed 25 rescuers and seven vehicles at the site. Rescue teams safely pulled more than 10 children from the debris.
The combined death toll of these two incidents has raised concerns among private school owners who fear that the government's actions may lead to a blanket ban on unregistered schools, affecting thousands of students and teachers. They have demanded transparent inspections and clear procedures for registered schools to ensure compliance with safety standards.
