CDA forms plans to end schools in residential areas

Recommendations include granting plots solely for educational purposes

ISLAMABAD: After two months consultative process, Capital Development Authority (CDA) has prepared a draft proposal for relocation of schools from residential areas, a statement issued by the authority said on Friday.

CDA will submit the mechanism and criteria regarding the shifting of schools from residential premises to the federal government for final approval, the statement said.

The new mechanism will help end the operation of schools in the residential premises in the city.

The proposals have been drafted on basis of input and consultation from a committee of the representatives from stakeholder departments including Federal Directorate of Education, Ministry of Education, Private Educational Institute Regulatory Authority (PEIRA), Federal Board of Revenue, Ministry of Interior and CDA.

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The committee has proposed that the private and government educational institutions marked for relocation should move to the 55 sites allocated for the purpose. However, if the said institutions do not utilise the allocated plots and start the construction of schools, the plots would be cancelled.

According to the recommendations, private housing societies would be directed to immediately start the construction of schools on plots designated for the purpose.

The committee has also recommended that private schools would be also allowed in zones II, IV and V on private lands. In this regard, by-laws have been formulated which have to be followed for construction of schools in these areas, the authority will facilitate the management of such schools in obtaining the NOC and approval process.

The committee has further agreed that there is dire need for capacity building of the government educational institutions which are occupying huge areas in the city. Construction of additional building and improving standard of education would attract students to public schools and load could be shared.

The CDA statement further said that the committee has proposed that plots of four to 20 kanals will be offered to private institutions to build schools.

The offer will be made in a transparent process to be presided by a committee comprising members from other ministries also. The report has calculated ratios of land utilisation per student in private as well as government sector. The proposal is to give schools at least three years for relocation. Daycare and Montessori category is also being proposed in every sector.

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On approval of the recommendations of the committee, CDA will ensure the availability of school plots in light of approved criteria and regulations.

Criterion regarding allotment of school plots was formulated in 2002 but could not achieve desired results. Therefore, an exercise was carried out for revising and updating of criteria by making it more transparent and result oriented keeping into consideration the existing requirements. Therefore, input from all stakeholders was obtained, compiled and a consolidated criterion has been proposed. It has been ensured that no untitled person or institution would be allowed to participate in the next scheme for acquiring plots for schools.

The new mechanism will help end the operation of schools in the residential premises in the city.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 16^th, 2019.