Punjab moves to make building fitness certificates mandatory for private schools

The Communication and Works Department Punjab has proposed making building fitness certificates mandatory for all private schools, calling for a comprehensive structural safety review to protect students and staff across the province.

In a letter sent to the School Education Department Punjab, the department recommended that the strength and stability of school buildings be thoroughly examined through a uniform survey across Punjab.

The proposal includes hiring a third-party consultant and entrusting inspections to an independent engineering firm to ensure transparency and technical accuracy.

According to the communication, around 3,500 private schools in Lahore fall within the scope of registration and would be subject to the proposed inspection regime.

The letter notes that a large number of private schools are operating from residential buildings, many of which were never approved for institutional use. In several cases, building maps and structural records are also unavailable, raising serious safety concerns.

The proposal suggests conducting both destructive and non-destructive testing of buildings to accurately assess structural strength and integrity. The Buildings Department would be responsible for issuing fitness certificates after technical evaluation.

Under the proposed framework, obtaining a building fitness certificate would become mandatory not only for school registration but also for any future expansion. The move is aimed at ensuring student safety through proper technical assessment of infrastructure.

The letter, issued in light of concerns raised by the Education Authority Lahore, seeks an urgent policy decision from the School Education Department, emphasizing the need to prioritize public and building safety across private educational institutions.