Early closure of schools rejected

Students will suffer due to premature closure of institutes, says APPSCA

ISLAMABAD:

The All-Pakistan Private Schools and Colleges Association (APPSCA) has rejected the government notification regarding the early closure of schools in wake of the ongoing heatwave.

Earlier, the Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Authority (PEIRA) had issued orders to all private educational institutions in Islamabad to wind up primary classes and curtail classes for secondary and higher classes.

The Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) has already closed down primary classes in public educational institutions and curtailed classes for secondary and higher classes from 8 am and 11 am.

However, the government’s decision has not been welcomed by private educational institutions.

APPSCA President Malik Abrar Hussain maintained that the decision was not in line with ground realities and would lead to academic losses for students. “The government wants to make the private education sector suffer in the name of climate change which is unacceptable,” he said.

The FDE has directed area education officers to fully implement the advisory and ensure that the ongoing examinations were completed on time.

In a statement issued, Malik Abrar said that private educational institutions were well aware of the weather conditions and they were taking all precautionary measures for the safety of children. He said that in such a situation, most children have forgotten to read and write.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 18^th, 2022.