Vehicle:
The deterioration of buildings of a large number of private educational establishments has become a threat to children’s lives, causing consternation among parents.
A local merchant, Rehman Malik, whose children study in a private school, said the building was in such poor condition that there was a constant risk of a major accident.
He said: “We have repeatedly informed the administration of the dangerous state school of the building, but they do not take the question seriously.”
Another resident, Muhammad Shehzad, a real estate merchant, also expressed his concern about the issue. He said: “The old and weak buildings of private schools can cause a tragedy at any time, but the authorities concerned remain silent spectators. We cannot risk the lives of our children.”
Parents said the provincial government should take action against private schools that violated the relevant rules, to avoid loss.
Meanwhile, an engineering firm authorized by the Punjab government to inspect the buildings of private schools sent a letter to the assistant commissioner of the vehicle, calling for an investigation into the alleged issuance of false fitness certificates of buildings to hundreds of schools in the district.
The company said it issued around 450 fitness certificates for the 2024-25 academic year, while more than 1,800 private schools were presented as registered on the portal of the School Education Department.
A spokesperson for the sub-commissioner said that the manager had quickly taken measures on the letter and returned the case to the education service to ensure a transparent investigation into the issue.
