The Directorate of Inspection and Registration of Private Institutions has issued strict fire safety directives for all private schools. The move comes after a recent fire at a home-based school in Malir left two children injured.
Under the fire safety directives, schools must install fire alarms, smoke detectors, and fire extinguishers in all buildings. Emergency exits and staircases must remain clear at all times. Authorities have also directed schools to regularly inspect electrical systems and other high-risk areas.
Schools are required to display fire evacuation plans at prominent locations. Teachers and staff must be trained in emergency response, while regular fire drills must be conducted. Special arrangements are also mandated for students with disabilities and other vulnerable children. A designated assembly point must be established for use during emergencies.
Authorities warned that strict action will be taken against schools violating the fire safety directives. The Directorate emphasized that compliance is mandatory and essential for the safety of students and staff.
The warning follows an incident on Monday, when a fire broke out at a home-based school near Khokhrapar in Malir. Police reported that the school was operating on the ground floor, while the family lived on the upper floor. Rescue teams evacuated the children safely, but two, aged between two-and-a-half and five years, sustained burn injuries and were rushed to the hospital for treatment.
Officials stressed that adherence to fire safety directives could prevent similar accidents in the future. The Directorate urged all private educational institutions to immediately review their safety measures and ensure full compliance with the new guidelines.
The fire safety directives are part of a broader initiative to strengthen school safety standards across the region. Authorities said the directives would be regularly monitored, and schools failing to comply could face legal and administrative action.
Parents and school staff were advised to stay vigilant and report any safety violations to the local authorities to ensure children’s protection.
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