Independent audits of school buildings sought

The Punjab Communication and Works (C&W) Department has declined the School Education Department's request to issue building fitness certificates for private schools across the province and has instead proposed hiring independent third-party engineering consultants.

The Education Department had directed the C&W Department to inspect school buildings and issue fitness certificates, initially for about 3,500 private schools in Lahore, following building collapse incidents in Kahna, Lahore, and Khanewal.

The plan was later to be extended to all 43 districts of Punjab.

In its response, the C&W Department said many private schools operate from rented, residential or mixed-use buildings that were constructed without approved engineering designs, building codes or complete technical documentation.