‘I am afraid the ceiling will fall on me’

MULTAN:

“When I sit in the classroom I am afraid the ceiling will fall down on me. Pieces of concrete and cement keep falling,” Muhammad Waqas, a grade 3 student, told The Express Tribune.

The MC primary school, built in 1922, is situated in the centre of the city and was declared “dangerous” in 1998 by the district government. The school has six students and five teachers, including the headmaster.

Many students dropped out from the school when some children were injured by large pieces of concrete that fell on them.

“Students are insecure over here as the building is extremely dangerous and it can fall any time. Many government schools have the same condition,” said Imran, whose younger brother studies at MC primary school.

A senior education officer from the education department, who did not want to be named, said authorities concerned have been informed, but no action has been taken. Free books are given by the government but nothing has yet been done to reconstruct the building, he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 7^th,  2011.