The National Association of Private Schools (NAPS) stated that the government is fully responsible for the educational loss of students due to the closure of schools on the pretext of rising novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19) cases.
NAPS President Chaudhry Obaidullah and Chairman Malik Imran said thousands of schools were shut down due to extended closure of educational institutions, also spurring a number of out-of-school children.
The officials called on the government to announce the immediate reopening of educational institutions amid strict implementation of standard operating procedures (SOPs) otherwise they would be forced to launch a nationwide protest. They stated this at a function held at the campus of a private school in Kallar Kahar on Sunday.
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Obaidullah maintained that private educational institutions suffered financial loss because of Covid that could not be covered in a decade. He cited research according to which at least two years are required to make up for the academic loss if a child remains out of school for six months.
The official while speaking at The Educators Kalar Kahar Campus also complained that the government did not issue easy loans to private schools, which it had promised.
NAPS chairman Imran said that the closure of educational institutions when markets and business activities were running in full swing showed the government’s ill-will. He warned that they would stage protests while staging a sit-in at D-Chowk is also an option.
Meanwhile, the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) has directed all schools and colleges in Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) to counter the impact of Covid-19 on academic progress of children and help them overcome their academic losses.
According to official sources, FDE has also directed the educational institutions to devise a two stage approach i.e a short term approach to support children appearing for exams, especially board exams in August 2021, and a long term approach for the next two-three years.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 15th, 2021.
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