Over 140 Govt School Buildings Declared Unsafe in Rawalpindi

The Punjab Communication and Works Department has declared that 143 government schools in Rawalpindi district are unsafe, either fully or partially, following a province-wide safety inspection. This inspection was initiated by the Punjab government in response to the collapse of a private school building in Peshawar.

The District Education Authority (DEA) Rawalpindi organized 47 teams to evaluate the structural integrity of schools throughout the district. The assessment revealed that between 20% and 80% of the structures at these 143 schools are in deteriorating condition, posing significant safety risks to students and staff. Among the most severely impacted institutions is Government Pahlavi High School for Boys, situated near Barani University in Rawalpindi city.

This school's building was deemed completely unsafe and was immediately evacuated, with students temporarily transferred to Zarai Farm School.

Yasin Baloch, CEO of DEA Rawalpindi, reported that most affected schools have partially damaged structures, including classrooms, blocks, and boundary walls. He added that emergency repairs are underway in less severely affected buildings, while proposals for the reconstruction of more hazardous structures have been submitted to the Punjab government.

Reconstruction is expected to commence once the necessary funds are allocated. Baloch also mentioned that unsafe sections have been vacated, and classes are being held in alternative spaces.

In addition to the government schools, authorities have initiated safety inspections of private schools in Rawalpindi upon the government's directive. The 47 inspection teams are anticipated to submit their reports this week. For further educational opportunities, readers are encouraged to visit EduNation, a platform that offers scholarships from around the world.