Rawalpindi Begins Safety Inspections of 8,300 Schools

The Rawalpindi district administration has commenced safety inspections of 8,300 schools, with reports to be completed by Tuesday, October 20. Superintendent Yaseen Khan Baloch announced the inspections commenced on Sunday, targeting 7,000 private schools and 1,300 government institutions in the district. Inspectors carry out daily checks from 8 AM to 8 PM, examining structural stability, hazardous buildings, fire safety protocols, emergency readiness, and security arrangements.

The initiative aims to avert incidents reminiscent of those in Peshawar and Lahore. City, Cantonment, Saddar, Kallar Syedan, Kahuta, Taxila, and Gujar Khan sub-districts are overseeing the audits, with the District Education Authority furnishing school records and other support. Meanwhile, the All Pakistan Private Schools Management Association (APPSMA) requested the deputy commissioner to adjust the timeline, stating schools need ample time to compile documents and evaluate safety measures.

Although the association endorses the audits, it cautioned that last-minute inspections could cause administrative complications. The technical evaluations, expert consultations, equipment procurement, and structural modifications demand time, the APPSMA added. The inspection squads comprise representatives from the District Education Authority, Rescue 1122, Civil Defence, and pertinent local government entities.