ISLAMABAD: Out of the 43 plots alloted by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) for the construction of private schools in Islamabad, all but six are lying vacant.
The CDA had allotted 26 plots for private educational institutions in 2005, five in 2006 and eight in 2007 and four in 2008. Only six institutions have either started or completed construction of schools while the remaining plots are lying vacant. One plot was cancelled and one was withdrawn after allotment.
These plots were allotted on the request of private schools owners so they could shift from residential areas and be able to provide the required facilities to students, including a separate space for sports and a library.
The six under-construction schools include: Foundation Head allotted in 2005 in H-11/4 with a plot size of 1.03 acres, Head Start School allotted in 2005 in sector H.11/4 with a plot size of 1.32 acres, Umeed-e-Noor in H-8, Majic Roundbout School allotted in 2006 at Frash Town at 1.80 acres and Pak International School allotted in 2006 at Chak Shahzad at 2.53 acres.
Pak Turk International School completed its construction in Chak Shahzad where it was provided a 2.53 acres plot in 2006.
The educational institutions which were allotted plots in 2005 but have not started construction work include: Faran Public School measuring 0.76 acres in H-11/4, EMS High School in H-11/4 measuring 0.76 acres, Islamabad Children Academy in H-11/4 measuring 0.76 acres, Ghazali College in H-11/4 measuring 0.76 acre, Islamabad Science School and College in H-11/4, measuring 1.03 acre, Global System Integrated School in H-11/4 measuring 1.03 acre, Bright Hall School in H-11/4 measuring 0.76 acre, Bahiria College in H-11/4 measuring 1.93 acres, Root School Sysem in H-11/4 measuring 0.75 acres, International Progressive School in H-11/4 measuring 0.76 acre, Preparatory School in H-11/4 measuring 1.03 acres, Hill House Boarding School in H-11/4 measuring 1.03 acres, Tameer-e-Millat Foundation in H-11/4 measuring 0.76 acres, Modern Institute of Management in G-11/3 measuring 0.68 acres, ASAS Int. School in G.11/3 measuring 0.68 acres; Foundation Public School in G-11/4 measuring 0.86 acres, Modern Language School in G-11/4 measuring 0.86 acres, SLS Montessori School and College in G-11/4 measuring one acre, Khalidunia High School in G-11/3 measuring 0.68 acres and Lahore Diocesan Board of Education in Frash Town measuring 1.6 acres.
Plots which were allotted in 2006 and have not started construction work are: National Grammar School in Chak Shahzad measuring 2.5 acres and Siddique Public School in Chak Shahzad measuring 3 acres.
Those institutions which were allotted plots in 2007 and are lying vacant include: Schoola Nova School in D12/4 measuring 2.2 acres, Anglo Oriental in H-11 measuring 0.86 acres, Institute of Arabic plot in F-11/I measuring 1.20 acres, AIMS Education System in H-11/1 measuring 1.2 acres, Karlot Residential College in F-11/4 measuring 2.04 acres, Ehsas Foundation in D-12/1 measuring 1.74 acres and Marjan Public School in H.8/1 measuring 1.24 acres.
Plots allotted in 2008 with no construction work include: Pak Turk School International Schools in H-8/1 measuring 2.7 acres and Silver Oaks School in Diplomatic Enclave with a plot size of 1.06 acres.
The plots were allotted on concession to encourage the institutions to provide quality facilities at spacious locations.
The plots have been allotted on a 33-year lease which is extendable up to 99 years.
CDA Deputy Director Public Relations Asim Kichi said the authority could not use coercive tactics against the school owners, who had said that their financial conditions did not allow them to start construction. He added that CDA had not fixed a time frame for the construction of these school buildings.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 23rd, 2010.
COMMENTS (1)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ