School building rented out to tenants

Contractor says education department has not cleared his outstanding dues

KARACHI:

One of the two buildings on a government school premises in the metropolitan city has been rented out to tenants by a contractor, which shows sheer negligence of the Sindh School Education Department.

The Express Tribune has learnt that the building, located in Federal B Area Block 10, is meant for two schools, Ebrahim Alibhai Boys Secondary School and Azizabad School No 10.

However, all the students have been shifted to the old primary school building as the secondary section has been rented out by a contractor to tenants. Two classes are clubbed to accommodate students in one class, while some classes have been shifted to the storeroom of the building.

When contacted by The Express Tribune, Muhammad Khurshid, Headmaster of Ebrahim Alibhai Boys Secondary School, said that they have repeatedly taken up the issue with the Town Officer.

“The building was handed over to the contractor for construction and repairs, but he has not returned the possession to the Sindh School Education Department,” Khurshid said. “Now some families live on the upper floor of the building,” he added.

According to the contractor, the department has not paid him for all the constructions and repairs and he would not return the building until all his outstanding dues were cleared.

Meanwhile, a female teacher in the Government Primary School Azizabad No. 10 said that they do not have enough space to accommodate all the students and they are forced to conduct a class in the store room. “Earlier, Nursery and KG classes used to share one room, but since toddlers are noisy, Nursery section has been merged with fifth grade because there is no space available,” she said. “Similarly, Class 1 and 2 students share one room, and Class 3 and 4 also share one room,” she added.

Another teacher said that it was impossible for students to study in this environment. “There is only one blackboard in the class. Half of which is used by the teacher of one class while the other half is used by the teacher of the other class,” she complained.

“Student cannot focus as two teachers teach in the same room to two different classes. Moreover, trucks, rickshaws and other vehicles are parked in the school grounds.” When the issue was brought into the notice of Director of School High and Higher Secondary Education, Farnaz Riaz, by The Express Tribune, he directed one of his female officers to visit the school and submit a report. Riaz said that he would bring the issue into the notice of senior department officers and would do what they can for the students as soon as possible.

On the other hand, Director of Primary School Lubni Salahuddin did not receive the call when The Express Tribune tried to contact her for her version.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 12^th, 2023.