Punjab Launches Crackdown on Unregistered Schools, Gives 744 Institutions Three Days to Comply

The Punjab government has intensified its efforts to regulate private educational institutions by issuing notices to 744 unregistered schools and academies across the province. Institutions have been given a three-day deadline to complete their registration, failing which they could face legal action, including fines ranging from Rs300,000 to Rs4 million. The move comes as authorities tighten safety regulations following recent tragic incidents involving tuition centres in Lahore.

Government Tightens Oversight After Safety Concerns

The province-wide operation was launched on the instructions of Punjab Minister for School and Higher Education Rana Sikandar Hayat. Officials say the campaign aims to ensure that every private educational institution operates within the legal framework while placing student safety above all other considerations.

The latest enforcement drive follows the collapse of roofs at two tuition centres in Lahore, an incident that claimed the lives of 15 students and left several others injured. Authorities say the tragedy highlighted the urgent need for stronger regulation of educational institutions operating without proper approval.

Registration Mandatory for Every Private Institution

District Education Authorities (DEAs) across Punjab have begun serving final notices to schools and academies operating without valid registration under the Punjab Private Educational Institutions (Promotion and Regulation) Ordinance, 1984.

According to officials, every privately managed school must obtain registration from the relevant district authority before starting operations. Institutions that continue to function without registration after the deadline may face prosecution under the law along with substantial financial penalties.

Three-Day Deadline for Compliance

The notices, issued through the Punjab Education Private Registration Information System (PEPRIS), direct unregistered institutions to submit their registration applications within three days.

Education authorities have warned that failure to comply will result in strict legal proceedings. Officials say the government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy toward schools operating outside the regulatory system.

Building Fitness Certificate Now Essential

In addition to registration requirements, the Punjab government has introduced another major safety measure.

Every private school and academy must now obtain a Building Fitness Certificate before being allowed to continue educational activities. The certification is intended to verify that school buildings meet structural safety standards and are suitable for students and staff.

Authorities have instructed District Education Authorities to ensure that no institution remains operational without the required certificate.

Hundreds of Schools Still Operating Without Registration

According to the School Education Department, official records indicate that hundreds of private educational institutions across Punjab are still operating without completing the mandatory registration process.

Education officials have been directed to complete inspections, monitor compliance, and submit implementation reports as the enforcement campaign continues throughout the province.

Stronger Regulations Focused on Student Safety

The government’s latest action signals a stronger emphasis on accountability within Punjab’s private education sector. By combining mandatory registration with structural safety certification, officials aim to improve oversight, enhance transparency, and reduce risks for students attending private schools and academies.

Parents are also expected to benefit from clearer regulatory standards, allowing them to make more informed decisions when choosing educational institutions for their children.

Source: