RAWALPINDI: Solarisation and renovation of government-run schools with the support of philanthropists and alumni have started in the garrison city, with 27 schools receiving solar power.
‘Solar panels have been installed in 27 schools in the garrison city with the help of a local non-governmental organisation (NGO), while a solar system is being installed at Government Muslim High School No. 1 on Saidpur Road with funds provided by its alumni,’ District Education Authority Chief Executive Officer Yaseen Baloch told Dawn.
Apart from this, he said, the provincial government had also selected 47 schools in Rawalpindi where solar systems would be installed. He said the funds for the purpose would be released soon.
The list of schools selected for solarisation would be finalised shortly and sent to Lahore for approval.
He said the provincial government had asked the authority to submit the list before releasingthe funds. Mr Baloch said the provincial government had also directed the authority to improve the condition of schools so that students could receive education in a better environment.
‘To improve the condition of schools, the District Education Authority has selected 20 schools in different parts of the garrison city and launched a renovation scheme through donations,’ he said.
‘Students of the Women University, 6th Road, helped the education authority improve the condition of the boundary walls of schools. The education department provided the theme for decorating the walls, and work has started in this regard,’ he said.
He said the education authority had also launched renovation work with the support of philanthropists and alumni. In this regard, roofs of some schools were being repaired, while four rooms requiring immediate repairs were being reconstructed.
Mr Baloch said the authority had completed a survey of dangerous buildings and declared 82 buildings of government-run schools in Rawalpindi districtdangerous. The Punjab government had started work on their repair.
It may be mentioned that there are more than 1,800 schools in the district. Of these, 323 schools had been outsourced, but their buildings were still in the government’s possession. As many as 82 school buildings had been declared dangerous.
‘The repair work will start after approval from the school management councils, but such councils have not been established in many tehsils,’ he said.
He said the process of forming school management councils and establishing internal audit committees would be completed as soon as possible.
He said these councils would have autonomous status and be authorised to undertake school construction and repair projects worth up to Rs10 million at their own level.
He said reports would be sought from school principals about the condition of school buildings. If any damage was reported, the buildings department would be asked to examine the structures.