Crackdown on Residential Area Schools & Colleges
“RDA Implements Stricter Measures for Schools in Residential Areas”
Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) is intensifying its actions against private schools and colleges located in residential zones, threatening closure if the buildings aren’t brought into compliance within 15 days.
The Supreme Court’s initial directive, given three years ago, to relocate 8,500 private educational institutions nationwide from residential areas, including 229 in Rawalpindi Cantonment Board, has already expired. Concerns raised by parents triggered this directive, citing disruptions caused by these institutions in residential neighborhoods.
Cantonment authorities argue that these schools disturb the peace, leading to issues like cleanliness, traffic congestion, pollution, and security concerns in residential areas.
Initially, the Supreme Court had given a three-year deadline until December 2021 for the relocation, aiming to address these issues across cantonment board regions.
However, the RDA has decided to extend the deadline until the upcoming academic year, beginning in March. This extension aims to prevent disruptions to ongoing educational activities while dealing with illegal educational institutions.
The RDA emphasized its directive for school owners to either legalize their buildings promptly or cease unauthorized operations within 15 days. Failure to comply will result in daily fines of Rs1,000 imposed on building owners beyond the deadline.