Education dept seals six private academies

RAWALPINDI:

The Education Department and Civil Defense, in a joint action, sealed six private academies and coaching centres in different areas of the city. They have also initiated legal action against their owners and principals.

All Pakistan Private Schools and Colleges Association has strongly condemned the sealing of academies and coaching classes for senior students held in the evenings. The association said that private schools should not be treated like terrorist organisations. Educating children has now become a crime, while all other activities are considered acceptable, it said, adding that the sealing of schools in the evening by various departments is beyond comprehension.

The association said that it strongly condemned refraining student studying in academies and the sealing of closed schools by calling the school principals from their homes. They demand an end to the humiliation of private educational institutions, warning that otherwise, a nationwide protest would be launched.

The association has demanded that the Rawalpindi deputy commissioner take immediate notice and suspend the officials who misbehave with teachers and immediately unseal the sealed schools and academies, said Association's Rawalpindi Division President Irfan Muzaffar Kiani.

He added that six schools have been sealed in the evening in Hazara Colony, Ratta Amral, Scheme 7. They emphasised that school principals and teachers are educated professionals and should not be treated like terrorists. Reacting to the actions of the Education Department, Civil Defense and other departments, he said that private educational institutions are being put against the wall.