Authorities have directed the Private Schools Regulatory Authority (PSRA) to prepare comprehensive safety regulations for private educational institutions, following a school roof collapse in Peshawar that killed at least 35 children and two teachers.
According to a notification, the draft regulations will cover the structural safety of school buildings, compliance with building codes and regular safety inspections. They will also set limits on classroom occupancy, include measures to prevent overcrowding, and define emergency exits and student evacuation procedures.
The PSRA has been told to prepare the draft in consultation with relevant technical institutions. It must submit the draft and its recommendations to the Education Department within seven days.
The roof of a private school collapsed in the Dir Colony area of Peshawar, killing 35 children and two teachers and injuring 52 others. Dr Shafique said 33 bodies were taken to Lady Reading Hospital and two to Naseerullah Babar Hospital.
SP Peshawar City said rescue operations were continuing. Preliminary information indicated that around 75 children were present in three classrooms at the time, and authorities were still determining the school’s total enrolment.
The injured were shifted to hospitals. Narrow streets in the area hampered rescue teams as they worked to evacuate the children.