Rains pose grave danger to dilapidated school buildings

Rains pose grave danger to the 272 dilapidated buildings of government schools in the district. As many as 57 such buildings are present in Rawalpindi and 18 of them are on the verge of collapse.

Similarly, 150 private schools are being run in dilapidated buildings in Rawalpindi. The local management has declared 150 buildings dangerous, but 18 buildings are in a risky condition, particularly in heavy rains.

The dangerous buildings are located in Bhabra Bazaar, Shah Chan Chiragh, Saidpuri Gate and Lunda Bazaar, Nishtarabad, Chittian Hattian, Peshawari Gali, Mohallah Waris Khan, Bohar Bazaar, New Sarafa Bazaar, Dhakki Mohallah, Nayya Mohallah, Mohallah Niarian, Bazaar Talwaran, Purana Qila, College Road, Shah Chan Bazaar, Mochi Bazaar, Raja Bazaar, Chachi Mohallah, Alam Khan Road, Jhangi Mohallah, Rani Bazaar and Chowk Bansanwala.

Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) Director Dr. Muhammad Hanif told ‘The News’ that cloudy weather would continue with intervals in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad during the current month. He warned the residents of low-lying areas to remain alert round the clock, particularly at night.

The senior officials of the education department, on the condition of anonymity, said that the roofs of some buildings had collapsed and schoolchildren were shifted to other classrooms which were comparatively safer.

The roof of the left portion of Government Islamia Higher Secondary School No-1 near Liaquat Bagh has collapsed, while the roof of the right portion is on the verge of collapse and could fall anytime. The school administration has declared both portions (left and right) dangerous and ‘no-go areas’ for students for months.

The senior teachers, on the condition of anonymity, said that rainwater entered classrooms to further damage the dilapidated building. The cracks are appearing continuously but the government and relevant authorities are not interested in getting the funds released for repair of such buildings, they said.

Punjab Teachers Association District President Chaudhry Saghir Alam said that the provincial government did conduct a survey of the dangerous buildings but did not take measures to repair them.

When ‘The News’ contacted Executive District Officer (EDO) Education Qazi Zahoor-ul-Haq, he admitted that the department had declared 270 buildings unfit for use and sought financial help from the provincial government for their repair. He said "We will start construction work on risky buildings when funds are released."

He said the provincial government had taken notice of encroachments on school land in the district and was working to settle it.

Talking to ‘The News,’ people expressed concern over the dilapidated buildings in their areas and appealed to the concerned authorities to resolve this issue immediately to avoid any untoward incident.

Additional District Collector General (ADCG) Imran Qureshi admitted that dilapidated buildings in the city are posing risk the lives of schoolchildren. "We are chalking out a master plan to end this problem," he claimed.