Peshawar school roof collapse: Report finds building structurally unsuitable
Peshawar school roof collapse report finds the building was residential with a temporary roof unsuitable for classrooms. 33 children were killed.
Kamran Ali
Correspondent Nukta
Kamran Ali, a seasoned journalist from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, has a decade of experience covering terrorism, human rights, politics, economy, climate change, culture, and sports. With an MS in Media Studies, he has worked across print, radio, TV, and digital media, producing investigative reports and co-hosting shows that highlight critical issues.
The Peshawar school roof collapse on Oct. 15 killed 33 children, a teacher and injured 17 others.
The Eastern Zone of the Capital Metropolitan Government Peshawar said in a report on Tuesday that the roof of Al-Khair Education System School in Dir Colony was structurally unsuitable. The Peshawar school roof collapse on Oct. 15 killed 33 children, a teacher and injured 17 others.
Why did the Peshawar school roof collapse?
The report says the roof was a likely temporary structure of wooden battens and burnt bricks, unsuitable for a school. It could not withstand the live load of students and the dead load of furniture, so the first-floor section fell onto the ground floor. The building was originally built as a residence.
The collapse raised questions about building safety inspections and the regulation of private schools in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
What did the report find about the school building?
The building was constructed as a residence in 2011, when the area fell under the now-defunct Tehsil Municipal Administration, Town-IV. Municipal records contain no building plan for the property.
The first-floor walls were made of cement bricks without cement plaster, the report said. The roof consisted of wooden battens and burnt bricks.
The planning control inspector had not flagged the building as dangerous because it did not appear structurally hazardous from the outside, the report added.
Who regulates private schools in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa?
The report said the regulation, supervision and monitoring of schools fall primarily under the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Private Schools Regulatory Authority.
According to the Chief Secretary's Office, the Peshawar deputy commissioner and police have already prepared reports on the incident. All relevant departments will submit their findings to the office. It will compile a comprehensive report covering all aspects of the case and forward it to the governor for final action.
What action has the government taken after the collapse?
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi ordered safety inspections and audits of all private and government schools. He also directed authorities to draft legislation within 15 days.
The proposed law would allow schools that fail to meet safety standards to be closed.
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