Govt mulls package for schools affected by Covid-19
Schools affected by the coronavirus would hopefully be given financial compensation, says Shafqat Mahmood
ISLAMABAD:
Minister for Federal Education, Professional Training, National Heritage and Culture Shafqat Mahmood on Monday informed the National Assembly that a special financial package is under consideration for low fee private schools affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
He said the issue of providing special financial package to schools having low free structure will be discussed with Prime Minister Imran Khan and the schools affected by the coronavirus would hopefully be given financial compensation if approved.
Responding to a calling attention notice moved by legislator Uzma Riaz regarding non-opening of schools in some areas from August, the minister said the schools could also take benefit from the loan package announced by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) for businesses on three per cent to five per cent.
He said the SBP would be asked to consider further relaxation for schools. Mahmood said schools operating in the federal capital have reduced 20 per cent fee as per advice of the federal government and the court.
He added that federal government has also advised provincial governments to follow it and reduce schools fee by 20 per cent adding that schools would hopefully open from September 15.
However, he said, final decision would be taken after Inter-Provincial Ministers Conference regarding the reopening of educational institutions on September 07, after analysing the situation of Covid-19 pandemic.
The minister said proposals to extend school year by four months or reduce curriculum has also been conveyed to schools.
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My partner approached the bank with whom he did business but its management claimed that they had not received instructions regarding three months salaries for the staff of our school. In any case banks in small towns and at tehsil level in smaller towns have no interest in giving loans. The management's interest in only in getting deposits. I am sure if at all the banks do decide some policy to hoodwink the Government and State Bank, the local bank management will have no authority to give loans. The matter will be dealt in a manner that owners of smaller schools will get frustrated and just give up. I hope I am wrong.