Lives of thousands of students at risk

Rawalpindi
The city district government Rawalpindi seems reluctant to show the real picture of the poor condition of educational buildings and some are so dilapidated that they could collapse anytime. It seems that authorities concerned are waiting for a serious incident as roofs of some of school buildings have already collapsed and life of thousands of students is at stake.
Even, the district education department has declared around 261 educational institutions buildings in Rawalpindi dangerous.
The condition of Government Jamia Islamia High School Murree Road, Government Faizul Islam School Trunk Bazaar, Pahalvi School Faizabad, Mission High School Raja Bazaar, Government Primary Girls School Tench Bhatta and Government Islamia Higher Secondary School No-1 Liaquat Bagh buildings are very poor and need early construction but the authorities concerned are taking the matter non-seriously.
According to reliable sources this fiscal year, the Punjab government will release only Rs250 million against the education department’s which had demanded Rs2 billion for the purpose.
On the other hand parents showed concerns over non-serious attitude of concerned authority for not showing the real picture of dilapidated school buildings where poor students spend six to seven hours daily.
According to a survey conducted by ‘The News’ that total 384 buildings were found dangerous in Rawalpindi district but the government asked to reduce the number as per 2014 survey in which 257 building were in dilapidated condition and after the discussion, the department sought financial help for repair of dilapidated buildings in the district and 23 buildings needed immediate attention.
A senior official of education department on condition of anonymity said in all 23 educational institutions, the roof of the buildings had collapsed and the children were shifted to other classrooms which were comparatively safe. “Neither provincial government nor the ruling party’s representatives are interested in getting the funds released for repair of such buildings,” he said.
Punjab Teachers Association District President Ch. Saghir Alam said that the provincial government did conduct survey of the dangerous buildings but did not take measure to repair them.
In a statement, Executive District Officer (EDO) Education Qazi Zahur-ul-Haq admitted that the department had declared a number of educational institutions buildings unfit for living and sought financial help from provincial government for repairs. He said that the provincial government had allocated Rs16 billion for educational institutions across the province and Rawalpindi district will receive its share soon to start construction work of dilapidated buildings.