In a corner: Govt urged to withdraw FIRs against principals

Association demands Rs200,000 for security of small private schools

PESHAWAR:

Private schools have asked the provincial government to withdraw FIRs registered against principals across K-P and provide financial support to small schools to make security arrangements.

These views were expressed by members of All Private Schools Association during a news conference held at Peshawar Press Club on Wednesday.

“We are still not clear what the police wants us to do,” said association member Anas Takreem. He added, “We have not been given a list of arrangements to be made at the schools and the government has not provided any support.”



He said as a result of police raids on schools and registration of FIRs, students and teachers felt harassed and are unable to continue to work in such an environment. Takreem pointed out it was the responsibility of the state to provide security to its citizens but instead, people were forced to fortify schools themselves.

He said schools were working closely with the government officials but FIRs were still registered against principals. “There are at least 25,000 private schools in K-P and the government should provide security to all of them.”

Another representative of the association, Dr Zakir Shah, said, “Funds worth billions have been allocated for the security of government-run educational institutions; the private schools should also be made part of it.”

They demanded the government stop registering FIRs and withdraw cases against school heads. The association urged the government to allocate Rs200,000 for the security of small schools and provide certificates to schools which maintain foolproof security in educational institutes.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 4^th,  2016.