Sindh issues strict fire safety rules for private schools
Pakistan
Sindh Education Department enforces mandatory fire safety measures in private schools after Gul Plaza tragedy, warning of strict action against non-compliance across the province.
KARACHI (Web Desk) - The Sindh Education Department issued comprehensive fire safety guidelines for private schools across the province in the wake of the Gul Plaza tragedy.
According to a notification issued on Tuesday, the School Education Department directed all private educational institutions to immediately implement the newly introduced safety measures.
The guidelines make it mandatory for schools to install fire alarms, smoke detectors, and fire extinguishers. Institutions have also been instructed to keep emergency exits and staircases open, accessible, and clearly marked at all times.
Regular inspection of electrical systems has been declared compulsory, while schools are required to display emergency evacuation plans at prominent locations on their premises.
The notification further mandates that fire drills be conducted at least twice a year, along with compulsory fire safety training for teachers and non-teaching staff. Special safety arrangements for students with special needs have also been ordered, including the designation of a clear assembly point.
The Sindh Education Department warned that strict action will be taken against institutions failing to comply with the directives.
The move follows a devastating fire that engulfed Gul Plaza on the night of January 17, reducing the multi-storey shopping mall to ashes. More than 70 bodies have been recovered so far, while search operations are still underway.
