The Punjab government has launched an urgent safety crackdown, ordering the demolition of numerous dangerous school buildings across the province after structural inspections revealed serious risks to students and staff.
In a statement released Tuesday, the Punjab School Education Department said teams of engineers and building safety inspectors identified multiple school structures with severe safety deficiencies, including cracked walls, weak foundations, and dilapidated roofs that pose imminent danger of collapse. Officials say the action is part of a broader Punjab school safety initiative to protect students from life‑threatening hazards.
According to education officials, the decision follows months of complaints from parents and local communities about schools operating in unsafe buildings, with some structures flagged as “at risk” by independent inspection firms contracted by the government. Parents in districts including Vehari and Multan reported that classrooms showed visible signs of deterioration long before formal action was taken, increasing public concern over student safety.
Government engineers have already begun controlled demolition and sealing of the most hazardous buildings, while others are being vacated and scheduled for reconstruction. “We cannot wait for a tragedy to happen inside a school,” said a senior official. The province is also planning safe reconstruction and retrofitting of affected schools with strict compliance to modern building codes.
In response to rising awareness on student transport and school safety, Punjab authorities recently introduced fitness and safety checks for private school buses and vehicles, a move aimed at enhancing overall student security across institutions.
The demolition order comes amid increasing public pressure for accountability and safer learning environments, as similar structural safety campaigns have been seen in other urban areas like Sindh, where authorities have been demolishing dilapidated buildings to prevent disasters.
Officials have urged school administrations, parents, and community leaders to cooperate fully during the demolition and rebuilding process. The government reiterated that student safety remains its top priority, and further inspections will continue province‑wide to prevent dangerous buildings from operating as educational facilities.
