Lahore Education Authority Recommends Sealing 213 Unregistered Private Schools

The Lahore District Education Authority (DEA) has recommended the sealing of 213 private schools operating without registration. This action is part of an ongoing campaign to enforce education regulations and improve safety standards across the city following the Kahna tragedy.

The DEA has submitted a summary to the district administration seeking approval to proceed against the identified unregistered schools. Once approved, the district administration will initiate sealing operations under relevant legal provisions. This follows an earlier phase of the enforcement campaign where 30 unregistered private schools were sealed for regulatory violations.

Lahore Education Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Tariq Mahmood stated that the campaign adheres to government directives and is being carried out without discrimination. The objective is to ensure all private schools operate within the legal framework and comply with provincial education laws.

Officials from the Punjab School Education Department confirmed that final warning notices had been issued to 744 private schools, instructing them to complete their registration process within a specified timeframe. Schools that continue to operate without registration will face strict legal action, including the sealing of their premises.

Education authorities emphasized that registration is mandatory for all private educational institutions in Punjab. This requirement enables regulators to verify compliance with standards related to infrastructure, classroom facilities, sanitation, fire safety, qualified teaching staff, management practices, and student welfare. The registration process also helps maintain an updated record of educational institutions and ensures adherence to government policies through regular inspections. Concerns were raised that unregistered schools often operate without adequate oversight, making it difficult to ensure safe learning environments and compliance with minimum operational standards, with some reportedly functioning in unsuitable or structurally unsafe buildings.