Authorities move to seal over 200 private schools

LAHORE: The Lahore District Education Authority has recommended sealing 213 private schools that are operating without registration as part of a wider enforcement campaign aimed at bringing educational institutions in line with the law and strengthening student safety measures in the provincial capital.

The authority has sent a summary to the district administration seeking action against the identified schools. After approval, the district administration is expected to begin the sealing process under the relevant legal provisions.

The latest step follows an earlier phase of the drive in which 30 unregistered schools were sealed for working in violation of regulatory rules. Officials said the campaign would continue and that institutions failing to complete registration would face similar action.

Lahore Education Chief Executive Officer Tariq Mahmood said the authority was carrying out the government’s directions without discrimination. He said the purpose of the exercise was to ensure that all private schools operate within the legal framework set by the government.

An official of the Punjab School Education Department said 744 private schools had already been issued final warning notices, directing them to complete registration within the stipulated period. The official said schools that continue functioning without registration could face strict legal action, including closure of their premises.

Officials said registration is mandatory for all private educational institutions in the province. They said the process allows authorities to check whether schools meet required standards related to infrastructure, classroom arrangements, sanitation, fire safety, qualified teaching staff, management systems and student welfare.

They added that registration also helps maintain updated records of institutions and supports monitoring of compliance with government policies. Authorities believe many unregistered schools operate without sufficient oversight, making it harder to ensure that students are studying in a safe and regulated environment.

According to officials, some institutions are operating in unsuitable or unsafe buildings without meeting the minimum operational standards required under provincial rules. They said the current campaign has been launched in the wake of recent incidents involving unsafe educational facilities.

Authorities have said preventing schools from operating in structurally weak or unauthorised buildings has become a major priority. They maintain that strict enforcement of registration rules will help identify institutions functioning in hazardous conditions and reduce risks for students and staff.

Education officials also said registration is not simply an administrative requirement but an important tool for protecting children, ensuring educational standards and enforcing accountability. Registered schools are subject to periodic inspections, while unregistered institutions remain outside the regular monitoring system.