LAHORE:
Schoolchildren studying in dilapidated buildings are set to suffer during the winter as Rs28 billion allocated for their repair and reconstruction has been withdrawn.
According to sources in the Punjab School Education Department, an allocation of Rs30 billion had been approved earlier this year for the repair of flood damaged and old school buildings in the province.
But in a sudden financial adjustment, sanctioned funds amounting to Rs28 billion have been withdrawn, citing budget pressures and slow utilisation.
The decision has brought nearly all repair and construction projects to a standstill.
The sources said the finance department had directed all departments to return unspent allocations despite fears that the step would halt more than half of the ongoing development schemes.
In several districts, contractors have stopped work, while children continue to attend classes in unsafe and open places.
An education officer said the situation is becoming alarming as the temperatures begin to drop. “Hundreds of schools were undergoing repair after flood damage but now the funds are gone. Students are sitting under trees or in tents. Once the cold weather sets in, it will become unbearable,” he said.
It is estimated that Punjab has nearly 25,000 schools needing urgent maintenance and repair. Many have damaged walls, floors and roofs that leak in rain.
Contractors say their bills remain unpaid and local officials are unable to resume work without fresh funding, while the cost of construction material keeps rising.
The sources said several projects were in their final stages when the funds were withdrawn.
“This decision reflects poor governance and priority of the government. Children will have to face freezing classrooms, rainwater leaks, and unsafe walls,” said a headmaster. The government claims that the money has been temporarily withdrawn and may be released later, but no timeline has been given.
