In the Tangar Serai area of Matta Tehsil, Swat, a tragic incident occurred when the roof of a private school collapsed, injuring six children. Following this, the district administration declared the building unusable and sealed it.
Assistant Commissioner of Matta Tehsil, Abdul Qayyum, identified the building of New Stander Public School as unsafe and initiated an inquiry into the incident. The collapse happened during class, with the nursery room's roof giving way, burying six out of the 19 children present.
Residents and Rescue 1122 personnel quickly pulled the injured children, aged between five and six, from the debris and rushed them to Zakir Khan Shaheed Hospital in Matta for treatment.
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Upon receiving news of the incident, Assistant Commissioner Abdul Qayyum and police officials arrived at the scene. The school was promptly sealed, and an investigation was launched.
In a statement to TNN, the school owner and principal, Karimzada, described the incident as unexpected. He explained that teachers were distributing workbooks to the children when the roof collapsed. Despite claims that the building was structurally sound and better than most local houses, the Assistant Commissioner sealed it to prevent future incidents.
Karimzada added that the school's establishment in 2017 was a response to local demand, as government schools are located two to three kilometers away, across a river with no bridge. He expressed his willingness to relocate the school as instructed by the Assistant Commissioner for the safety of the children.
Furthermore, Karimzada criticized the Private Schools Regulatory Authority (PSRA) for collecting an annual renewal fee of 10,000 rupees without providing adequate support in return. The PSRA, responsible for registering, regulating, and supervising private schools in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa since 2018, is supposed to ensure that institutions meet specific standards, including building safety, qualified staff, and proper facilities.
Despite PSRA’s mandate, there are concerns about its effectiveness. According to sources, numerous private schools in Swat do not meet the required standards, with some buildings being dangerously dilapidated. The incident at Matta Tangar raises questions about the authority's oversight and timely action.
When TNN reached out to PSRA officials, they were unresponsive regarding the lack of action against substandard schools. One PSRA official noted that private schools in Swat should have been closed for holidays from July 1 to July 31 and suggested that the district administration file an FIR against the school.
Social media users have also voiced their frustration, demanding action against private schools that charge high fees without providing adequate facilities. They emphasized the need for stricter checks and balances to ensure the safety and well-being of students.
This incident underscores the urgent need for proper regulation and oversight of private schools to prevent such tragedies and ensure a safe learning environment for children.
