Afternoon schools face closure
Girls walk into their classroom at an afternoon school in Lahore. Photo: Express
The Punjab caretaker government has decided to close all 146 Insaf Afternoon Schools being run across the Rawalpindi district and has halted funds worth Rs40 million.
According to sources, salaries of the teaching and non-teaching staff of these schools have been stopped since October last year but the government has stopped funding these schools this time with the intention to close them in various phases.
They said the payment of arrears has been denied this year as well despite Eidul Fitr being just around the corner.
According to the District Education Authority, the body needs approximately Rs40 million to run these afternoon schools.
Sources said due to the non-payments, teachers, especially females, have started quitting their jobs under financial stress.
According to statistics, around five thousand students are studying in 146 Insaf Afternoon Schools across the district.
These schools employ 800 teaching and non-teaching staff too. Finance and Planning Assistant Director Najam Ashraf said that they are in touch with the finance department to get the required funds.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 15th, 2023.