Private schools in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will soon need a building fitness certificate to get or keep their registration. The KP Private Schools Regulatory Authority (PSRA) has decided to link school registration with fitness certificates issued by building-control authorities. The move comes after a tragic school roof collapse in Peshawar that killed 31 students and a teacher.
The decision was taken in a meeting chaired by Dr Amir Abdullah, adviser to the KP Governor. It is one of the biggest safety reforms for private schools in the province and will affect thousands of school owners, principals, teachers and parents.
Why the Building Fitness Certificate Rule Was Introduced
The Peshawar roof collapse shocked the whole country. In its own notification, the PSRA admitted that some private educational institutions were operating in buildings without approved building plans, putting students, teachers and others at risk. The PSRA has now said clearly that registration with PSRA does not mean the building is safe or approved.
To close this gap, the authority wants every private school to prove that its building is structurally sound before it can be registered.
Key Decisions Taken by KP PSRA
| Decision | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Registration linked to fitness | No registration without a building fitness certificate |
| Private engineering firms | Registered firms can issue certificates, to avoid misuse |
| Certificates for all schools | Existing private schools may also need to obtain one |
| Stronger PSRA role | More monitoring of private institutions |
| Law amendment | Changes needed in the KP PSRA Act 2017 |
New Instructions for School Owners and Principals
Along with the policy decision, the PSRA issued a notification with immediate instructions for all private schools and colleges:
- Verify building approval status right away and get any missing approvals from the competent authority.
- Keep approved building plans and permissions on the school premises for inspection.
- Do not add floors, extend buildings, build rooftop cabins, set up temporary classrooms or make major changes without prior approval.
- Comply with any notice from a building-control authority within the given time.
- Do not occupy or reopen any building declared unsafe until written safety clearance is issued.
- Make safe arrangements so that students’ education continues where a building needs repair.
The authority described the matter as urgent and warned that non-compliance could lead to regulatory proceedings or action by building-control authorities.
What the Building Fitness Certificate Rule Means for Teachers
Teachers spend most of their day inside school buildings, so this reform directly concerns their safety. Teachers can play an active role by reporting cracks, leaking roofs, weak boundary walls or overcrowded rooms to school management. In schools where repairs are needed, teachers may have to adjust timetables or shift classes, so cooperation between staff and management will be important.
What Parents Should Check
Parents can ask the school administration whether the building has an approved plan and a building fitness certificate. Once the rule is fully implemented, a school without one may not be able to renew its registration.
Similar Steps in Other Provinces
School safety is a growing concern across Pakistan. Other provinces, including Punjab, have also focused on school building safety in recent weeks. KP’s step of linking registration to a building fitness certificate may become a model for other regulators.
What Happens Next
The PSRA will need amendments to the KP Private School Regulatory Authority Act, 2017 to make the fitness certificate a legal condition for registration. Until then, the notification already requires all schools to verify and maintain approvals. School owners should start the process now rather than wait for the deadline.
The decision was first reported by Dawn.
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FAQs
What is the new rule for private schools in KP?
Registration of private schools will be linked to a building fitness certificate issued by the relevant building-control authority.
Who can issue the building fitness certificate?
Registered private engineering firms will be authorised to issue the certificates to avoid misuse of government authorities.
Why was this decision taken?
It follows a school roof collapse in Peshawar that killed 31 students and a teacher.
Is PSRA registration proof of a safe building?
No. PSRA has clearly stated that registration does not mean approval of building plans or structural fitness.