Security alert: Many private schools remained closed on Friday

Parents were told about decision late on Thursday night

LAHORE: Several major private school chains in the city remained closed on Friday due to security reasons, while smaller private and public institutes in the provincial metropolis saw a low turnout.

Parents were only told about the closure late on Thursday and were informed through social media or SMS by many of the schools.

Muhammad Mubashir, a parent whose children study at a well-known private school, said he received a call in the evening and was told the school was shutting due to security reasons. “In view of the heightened security alert and in light of the PSL final, we have decided to keep Lahore schools closed on March 3 and 4,” it read.



An official of a large school chain told The Express Tribune that the decision was taken due to the security situation, especially because of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) final on Sunday.

“Heightened security arrangements can create problems for parents, teachers and children. So it was decided that it would be better to close the school for a day.”

Other institutes affiliated with the All Pakistan Private Schools’ Federation (APPSF) remained open on Friday. The APPSF, in a statement, announced that schools would remain open on Friday, March 3 as per schedule and close on Saturday, March 4, ahead of the PSL final.

Meanwhile, Punjab School Education Minister Rana Mashhood urged managements to pay special attention to monitoring through CCTV cameras. He ordered school representatives to ensure the security of all students and teachers through the best possible arrangements and complete implementation of SOPs issued by the Punjab government.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 4^th, 2017.