Backlash: Owners threaten to shut down schools

Teachers, parents raise objections over govt’s decision to seal institute in Hayatabad

PESHAWAR: Private schools owners and teachers have condemned the district administration’s decision to take action against a private school in the city. They have threatened to shut down all schools in the province if the government does not retract its decision.

The announcement was made by members of National Education Council (NEC) during a news conference at Peshawar Press Club on Saturday. The members organised the conference to voice their objections over the district administration’s actions.

Peshawar district administration had taken action against Allied School in Phase I, Hayatabad on Friday. As per officials of the district administration, the institute had been set up in a residential area. The school was sealed.

Speaking at the news conference on Saturday, NEC members – along with other private schools associations, owners, teachers and parents – threatened to start a movement if the decision to seal the school was not withdrawn.

All Private School Association President Dr Zakir Shah and NEC Pakistan Chairperson Nazar Hussain criticised district administration’s decision. They said the provincial government has failed to provide quality education and only the private sector has managed to provide education to 60% schoolchildren in the province.

According to NEC members, it is the responsibility of the government to provide quality education under the education policy.

“The government is denying children their right to education by taking action against those that provide it to them,” one of the members said.

Pointing fingers

The members of NEC also criticised Peshawar Development Authority.

“PDA allowed Iqra National University Peshawar and Edward Public School to operate in residential areas in Hayatabad,” an NEC member said. “Then why is it taking action against school?”

Nazar Hussain, a participant, said building regulations have only been implemented in Hayatabad.

“This is discrimination against the people in this area and violation of Article 25 of the Constitution of Pakistan,” he said.

This section calls for equal treatment of Pakistani citizens.

Fuel to the fire

Moreover, children in K-P have already been affected by militancy and national disasters. “Therefore, such steps would further deter their path to getting an education,” Hussain added.

Hussain urged the government not to shut down schools, especially after an education emergency was imposed in K-P.

“The government needs to provide alternative location if it is, indeed, going to seal schools in residential areas,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 20^th, 2016.