Flooded schools greet students

Heavy monsoon rains have left many campuses underwater, turning them into ponds

RAWALPINDI:

After a two-and-a-half-month summer vacation, all public and private educational institutions in Rawalpindi will reopen on Thursday (today). However, heavy monsoon rains over the past week have turned many schools, colleges, and universities across the city into virtual ponds.

The prolonged rainfall has led to moss growth while standing water has accumulated in school grounds. Additionally, wild herbs and grass have increased, creating an unkempt environment. Concerns have also been raised about dengue larvae, which could increase the risk of a disease outbreak among students.

Three days ago, the education department instructed govt schools, colleges, and universities to reopen on August 12, 13, and 14 to address these issues. School administrations were ordered to drain water, cut grass, and thoroughly clean washrooms. However, reports indicate that none of the school heads in the entire district followed these instructions.

Many school principals have expressed that they lack the funds and manpower necessary to hire daily labourers and gardeners to address the cleaning tasks. Consequently, the cleaning will now be carried out with the help of teachers, gatekeepers, and students after the schools reopen.

The Ministry of Education has reiterated its instructions to school heads, emphasising the need for thorough cleaning of educational premises, including washrooms, and the immediate drainage of accumulated water. Despite these directives, compliance was not observed until August 14 (yesterday). The Education Department has also mandated that anti-dengue banners be displayed at the main gates of all educational institutions.

Flood relief camps closed

Meanwhile, the Education Department has abruptly terminated five flood relief camps that were set up to provide immediate assistance to victims in anticipation of potential flooding in Nullah Leh and 15 other rainwater drains.

These relief camps, established in high schools located in low-lying areas near Nullah Leh, were initially intended to operate throughout the flood season. However, the camps were closed a month early, and the supervisory staff was sent back.

According to sources, the decision to close the camps was made because educational institutions across the city are set to reopen on Thursday (today) The camps, which were set up in four to five large classrooms furnished with rugs, needed to be vacated to make way for regular classes.