The Rawalpindi district administration has launched Rawalpindi school safety inspections covering 8,300 schools, including around 7,000 private and 1,300 government schools, to check whether buildings are safe for students.
The audits began on Sunday and are being carried out daily from 8am to 8pm. Inspection teams have been asked to submit their reports by Tuesday, October 20.
What the Rawalpindi school safety inspections check
Teams are examining the structural stability of school buildings, identifying dangerous structures and reviewing fire-safety measures, emergency preparedness and security arrangements.
The teams include representatives of the District Education Authority, Rescue 1122, Civil Defence and local government bodies. Assistant commissioners in City, Cantonment, Saddar, Kallar Syedan, Kahuta, Taxila and Gujar Khan are supervising the work.
Private schools ask for more time
The All Pakistan Private Schools Management Association said it supports the inspections but asked the deputy commissioner to revise the schedule, warning that short-notice checks could create administrative difficulties. It also requested advance details of the safety standards and documents schools will be assessed on.
After the Peshawar tragedy
The drive follows the deadly roof collapse at a private school in Peshawar, which has prompted authorities in several districts and provinces to review the safety of school buildings.
