Alliance seeks relief package for schools

Says jobs of thousands of schoolteachers, staff at stake due to lockdown

QUETTA: The Balochistan Private Schools Grand Alliance has called for a special grant from the provincial government to overcome the financial crisis arisen due to closure of schools in the wake of coronavirus pandemic.

“More than 8 million students, 53,000 staff members and 2,800 schools are affected by the lockdown imposed to curb the spread of coronavirus in the province,” said the private alliance member Rozi Khilji while addressing a press conference on Friday.

Khilji said the province could face high rate of unemployment if the provincial government did not support the private schools during the closure.

“The federal and provincial governments have announced billions of rupees packages to provide relief to deserving families affected by the lockdown. However, they have neglected private school staff in providing the assistance,” said Khilji.

Covid-19 lockdown has suspended educational activities across the province which has severely affected the people associated with schools including teachers.

“Thousands of jobs are at risk due to the prevailing lockdown. The central and provincial governments need to come forward and help the private schools in overcoming the crisis,” he added.

Khilji condemned the provincial government’s attitude towards the private schools and described it as ‘harassment’. “The private schools are imparting quality education across the country but the central and provincial governments are defaming these institutions.”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 3^rd, 2020.