Lahore (HRNW)- Claims circulating on social media that Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat has announced the closure of all tuition centers across the province are false, according to official clarifications from the Punjab government.
The claim gained traction following the tragic incident in Lahore last month in which 14 children lost their lives after the roof of a tuition center collapsed. On July 1, social media posts alleged that the Punjab government had decided to shut down all tuition centers operating in residential areas, raising concerns that such a move would affect the livelihoods of many teachers, particularly women.
However, the Punjab Education Minister clarified that no blanket ban has been announced on tuition centers. He stated that action will only be taken against unregistered academies that fail to comply with government regulations or do not obtain the required building fitness and safety certificates.
In messages issued to clarify the matter, Rana Sikandar Hayat said that only those tuition academies that do not meet prescribed safety standards and remain unregistered will face closure from September.
During a media interaction on July 3, the minister reiterated that enforcement measures would target only institutions failing to meet legal and safety requirements. He also stated that the authority to register tuition academies rests with the respective Deputy Commissioners, and a province-wide survey of tuition centers is currently underway.
The Education Minister’s Public Relations Officer, Noorul Huda, also rejected the viral claim, stating that no directive has been issued to close all tuition centers across Punjab.
Further verification found no official notification, press conference, media interview, or government statement announcing a complete ban on tuition centers. Officials maintain that the ongoing measures are limited to ensuring compliance with safety regulations and legal registration requirements.
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