Crumbling school building puts lives of over 1,000 students at risk

HAFIZABAD: The building of Government Model Higher Secondary School for Boys has become dangerously unstable following recent heavy rains and flooding in the region.

The foundation has sunk, and the floors, walls and ceilings of classrooms have begun to separate. Visible cracks have appeared across the structure, creating an imminent risk of collapse. More than a thousand students continue to attend classes in this deteriorating building, with parents and teachers expressing grave concerns for their safety. The fear intensified after the recent collapse of a private school’s roof in the Sukheki area, which killed seven people, including five students. Located on Mangat Road, the Government Model Higher Secondary School was originally built on hilly terrain, which has worsened the structural damage due to water seepage. Floors have subsided, walls are deteriorating, and ceilings are cracking, yet no effective action has been taken by the authorities so far. Parents of the students have appealed to Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, Chief Secretary Punjab, Commissioner Gujranwala, Deputy Commissioner Hafizabad, and the Buildings Department to take immediate action. They warned that in case of any tragedy, the responsibility would lie with the concerned officials.