CDA to shift schools from residential areas soon

FDE is being asked to surrender unused land so that it could be used for reallocating educational institutions


Iftikhar Choudhry September 10, 2019
Representational image. PHOTO: AFP

ISLAMABAD: Capital Development Authority (CDA) in pursuance of Islamabad High Court (IHC) orders is heading to finalise a comprehensive policy and mechanism for shifting of private schools from residential premises.

Working and homework in this regard has been completed.

Concerned departments and stakeholders are being taken on board to incorporate their suggestions in the shifting mechanism.

In this context, authority has scheduled a meeting on the subject matter on Thursday at CDA headquarters.

Representatives of Federal Directorate of Education (FDE), Private Educational School Regulatory Authority (PIERA) and other formations concerned will attend the meeting.

In order to shift the private educational institutes from the residential premises, a comprehensive and transparent criterion is being devised so that all educational institutes could be equally accommodated.

Through this mechanism it would be ensured that educational plot would not be allotted to any irrelevant person or irrelevant institute.

Furthermore, it would be also ensured that in future no private school would be established in residential premises. Housing societies are being directed to utilise the plots reserved for educational institutes within three months.

If the reserved educational plot in any society has been utilised for any other purpose, the society would provide equal space for establishment educational institute in lieu of utilised reserved plot.

CDA transfers more than 150 officers in first phase

In case of non-compliance, action under the rules will be taken against the society.

Federal Education Directorate (FDE) being the main stake holder in the matter is being asked to submit its future requirements and indicate the unused land and surrender it accordingly so that it could be reallocated for educational activities.

In this context, FDE will initiate a proposal to devise a mechanism through which a combination of private and government institutes would be encouraged.

Superior judiciary while taking up the matter had directed the authority to device a comprehensive mechanism and policy for relocation of schools from residential areas of the city.

Schools and other commercial entities working in the residential areas pay property tax as per residential plots, whereas they are supposed to pay property tax as per commercial rates.

Similarly, commercial entities in residential areas enjoy power and gas utilities as per residential rates, which are the lowest, instead of paying commercial rates.

Clearing bushes

CDA continued removal of wild plants and bushes from various areas of the capital on gazetted holiday of Ashura on Monday.

The cleanliness work has been carried out in collaboration with Islamabad Metropolitan Corporation and Islamabad Capital Territory Administration (ICTA), a press release said. The purpose of this campaign was to revive clean and green status of Islamabad even on weekends and gazetted holidays. Significant area of the city was cleared from rank vegetation while the whole city will be covered within next one week. 

Published in The Express Tribune, September 10th, 2019.

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