‘Decision to keep schools open is wrong’

Parents federation cautions against risk to students, teachers; schools association backs govt decision

The decision made by the education ministers to keep schools open for the time-being is 'absolutely wrong', said Students Parents Federation of Pakistan chairperson Nadeem Mirza, adding that the lives of students and teachers should not be put at risk.

In a video statement issued on Monday, he claimed the ministers had been put under pressure by private schools, which preferred to collect fees from the students. "The government is supporting private school owners despite a resurgence in coronavirus cases across the country," he added.

Mirza appealed to the National Command and Operation Centre to immediately announce the closure of educational institutions to keep teachers, students and their families safe from the contagion.

On the other hand, All Sindh Private Schools and Colleges Association chairperson Haider Ali backed the decision of keeping educational institutions open, stating that one academic year had already been affected and they could not afford to lose another year.

"Everyone agrees to the fact that schools are not the cause of the coronavirus outbreak. And standard operating procedures are being implemented at educational institutions," he claimed, adding that about 25 per cent of students had been unable to attend schools due to a seven-month-long lockdown, and so the decision of not giving winter vacations was also justified.

"Online teaching is of no use for 95 per cent of schools and colleges, which is why the academic process should continue," said Ali.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 17^th, 2020.