RAWALPINDI: District Education Authority (DEA) has started an inquiry into the death of a 14-year student after falling into a manhole at the Government Jamia High School in Sadiqabad.

The DEA has formed a three-member committee, comprising Government Denny’s High School Principal Jamshaid Iqbal, Government Boys High School Gharibabad Principal Ikramullah and Deputy District Officer Waheed Afzal.

A senior official of the DEA said the committee was investigating the incident to fix responsibility for the open manhole on the school premises and it was the responsibility of the school administration to cover it.

Ahsan Zameer was son of the school’s watchman and fell into the manhole while playing in the school ground a few days ago.

The official said the watchman, Mohammad Zameer, was a special person and Ahsan was his only son. He said it was a tragic incident and the education authority would soon fix responsibility.

When contacted, DEA Chief Executive Officer Azam Kashif said the committee had been asked to complete the inquiry within two to three days. He said the provincial government had sought a report on the incident and the authority had to submit it by the end of next week.

He said all heads of 1,806 schools in the district have been directed to cover manholes on their premises otherwise action would be taken against them. He said the Sadiqabad school was biggest in the town and spread over 100 kanals. It would be made safe for students in future, he added.

Published in Dawn, February 10th, 2020