Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has called an important meeting following two tragic roof collapses in Lahore that have raised serious concerns about the School Building Rules.
The meeting will take place on Friday under the chairmanship of the chief minister. Senior officials from the School Education Department will attend the session.
Maryam Nawaz has directed the Secretary of School Education to bring a complete safety plan. The plan will focus on preventing such accidents in schools and tuition centers.
The government may take major decisions about public schools, private schools, and tuition center buildings. Officials may also introduce new SOPs for building safety.
The move comes after a heartbreaking incident in Kahna, Lahore. A tuition center roof collapsed during class hours and claimed the lives of 14 young children.
Reports suggest that construction work was underway on the roof while the children were studying inside. Extra weight on the roof created a dangerous situation.
Iron T-R girders could not bear the heavy load. The structure collapsed suddenly, and heavy debris fell on the children sitting below.
Around 35 children were present in the tuition center at the time of the incident. Rescue teams reached the site and started emergency work.
However, 14 children lost their lives in the tragedy. The incident shocked families across Lahore and prompted urgent calls for stricter School Building Rules.
Another painful incident took place in Baghbanpura on Thursday. A private school roof collapsed during construction work.
A 10-year-old child, Abu Bakar, died in the accident. Four laborers also received serious injuries in the collapse.
Rescue officials said their teams reached the spot soon after the accident. They pulled the trapped people from the debris and moved them to the hospital.
Doctors confirmed the death of Abu Bakar after a medical examination. The injured laborers continue to receive treatment.
These back-to-back incidents have increased pressure on the Punjab government. Parents now want strict checks on the buildings of schools and tuition centers.
The upcoming meeting may focus on building inspections, construction approvals, rooftop load limits, and safety certificates. Authorities may also review old and unsafe structures.
The government may ask private school owners and tuition center operators to submit building safety reports. Officials may also launch inspections across Punjab.
Experts believe that clear School Building Rules can reduce the risk of future accidents. They also stress regular monitoring of buildings where children study every day.
The Lahore incidents show the danger of careless construction work during school hours. They also highlight the need for strong action before another tragedy happens.
Parents have demanded accountability from school owners and building managers. They say children must not study in unsafe buildings.
The chief minister’s meeting may decide new safety measures for all educational buildings. The decisions may affect thousands of schools and tuition centers across the province.
For now, the Punjab government faces a major responsibility. It must enforce strong School Building Rules and protect children from unsafe buildings.
