Poonch, July 13: The Chief Education Officer (CEO), Poonch, has issued an urgent circular directing the immediate conduct of safety audits of all government schools across the district to ensure the structural safety of school buildings before the continuation of academic activities.
The circular has been issued in compliance with the Directorate of School Education Jammu (DSEJ) letter No. DSEJ/2296-2316 dated July 9, 2026, and the decisions taken during a meeting chaired by the Financial Commissioner (Additional Chief Secretary) regarding the safety and security of students.
According to the circular, all Drawing and Disbursing Officers (DDOs) have been instructed to obtain a School Building Safety Certificate from the concerned Executive Engineer of the Public Works Department (PWD). The certificate must clearly certify that the school building is structurally sound, free from cracks, leakages, and any risk of collapse, and is fit for conducting academic activities.
The CEO has further directed all Principals and Headmasters to submit the safety certificates to the Chief Education Officer’s office through a special messenger without delay.
Additionally, all Zonal Education Officers (ZEOs) have been asked to compile and submit consolidated School Building Safety Certificates of all schools falling under their respective jurisdictions within 10 days from the date of issuance of the circular.
In a strict compliance measure, the circular states that the In-charge Accounts Section of the CEO office has been instructed not to release salary funds to any DDO until the required School Building Safety Certificate is submitted.
The circular emphasizes that the matter should be treated as “Most Urgent” and warns that non-compliance will be viewed seriously, underscoring the administration’s commitment to ensuring a safe learning environment for students across the district.(KNC)
