Education authorities have ordered the immediate relocation of 93 dangerous school buildings in Larkana district to safer locations within their respective areas.

The affected schools have around 5,230 students, along with teaching and non-teaching staff. Officials plan to accommodate them temporarily in nearby safe schools, mosques, private guest rooms known locally as autaqs, or tent schools.

Buildings declared unsafe after survey

District Education Officer-Primary Aneesur Rehman Jalbani said officials declared the 93 buildings dangerous after an extensive survey.

The education department’s Monitoring and Evaluation Section conducted the survey with the heads of the affected schools.

The schools are located across Larkana city, Dokri, Bakrani and Ratodero.

Jalbani said authorities approved the relocation plan to protect students and teachers from potential risks posed by the unsafe structures.

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He referred to a July 30 letter from the department’s chief monitoring officer regarding the condition of the buildings.

Schools ordered to relocate immediately

The DEO sent instructions to taluka education officers and school heads on August 7.

He directed them to shift the schools without delay and inform his office once the process begins.

Meanwhile, the education department plans to conduct another ground assessment during the relocation process.

Jalbani said officials would verify the current condition of the buildings and confirm the enrolment figures.

Previous survey identified 250 unsafe buildings

The official said authorities had previously identified around 250 school buildings as dangerous.

Over time, however, departments repaired or reconstructed many of those buildings.

This reduced the number of schools requiring immediate relocation to 93, according to the official.

Most of the schools on the latest list appear to serve male students.

Temporary facilities raise concerns

The relocation plan has also raised questions about the suitability of temporary learning spaces.

Officials will need to assess whether mosques, autaqs and other temporary facilities have basic services such as water and electricity.

Distance also remains an important concern.

Authorities will have to consider how far the temporary locations are from students’ homes and the residences of teaching and non-teaching staff.

These factors could affect attendance and the smooth continuation of classes.

Questions over survey process

Jalbani said the Monitoring and Evaluation Section conducted the latest survey instead of the Education Department’s Works and Research Section.

He explained that the department had assigned the task to the monitoring section for this assessment.

However, when asked why the Sindh Building Control Authority did not participate in the survey, the officer declined to comment.

Education authorities are now expected to begin the ground verification and relocation process to ensure the safety of students and staff while maintaining access to education.