Safety inspections of both public and private schools across the Rawalpindi district have started by order of the local administration, with evaluation teams instructed to submit their findings by Tuesday, October 20.
Yaseen Khan Baloch, who serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the District Education Authority, stated that the checks began on Sunday. The effort encompasses 7,000 private institutions and 1,300 government-run facilities throughout the district, with inspection teams operating daily between 8 AM and 8 PM.
Evaluators are checking structural integrity, hazardous structures, fire precautions, emergency readiness, and overall security protocols. Authorities initiated these checks to avoid tragedies similar to past events documented in Lahore and Peshawar.
Assistant commissioners are overseeing the audits in City, Cantonment, Saddar, Kallar Syedan, Kahuta, Taxila, and Gujar Khan, while the District Education Authority supplies necessary school records and support.
Concurrently, the All Pakistan Private Schools Management Association petitioned the deputy commissioner to adjust the timeline. The group argued that educational facilities require adequate time to gather paperwork and evaluate safety protocols.
While endorsing the evaluations, the association cautioned that sudden checks cause operational challenges. Technical evaluations, consultations with specialists, acquiring equipment, and making structural repairs demand proper time, the organization noted.
Furthermore, the association requested that schools obtain prior notice regarding inspection criteria, necessary safety protocols, paperwork requirements, and protocols.
The inspection units comprise personnel from the District Education Authority, Civil Defence, Rescue 1122, and relevant municipal departments.
