Girls' school 'sealed by land mafia' reopened

Town nazim rushes to rescue heritage site; SBCA denies issuing seal order

KARACHI:

A government girls' school in Soldier Bazaar that was mysteriously sealed late Friday night was reopened on Saturday following the intervention of the Town Nazim, after both police and Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) denied any knowledge of the closure order.

The building of Jufelhurst Girls Higher Secondary School - located in Jamshed Town's Soldier Bazaar No. 3 - was suddenly declared "dangerous" at around 8pm on Friday and sealed with SBCA notices pasted on its gates. When students and teachers arrived the next morning, they were shocked to see padlocks on the main entrance and a closure notification warning against entry.

School administration said they were given no prior notice. "We received absolutely no intimation from any government department. We only saw a paper pasted on the wall when we arrived for duty," said the school's headmistress.

Jufelhurst Girls Higher Secondary School was built in 1931 by Sybil D'Abreo over a sprawling estate of 5,000 yards. The school was nationalised in 1974, however it's land is on the target of builder mafia.

According to the notice, two plots - Nos. 325/1 and 356 GRE Garden East Quarters - were sealed for being in a dangerous condition. It also warned that entry into the premises would be treated as a violation of law.

With hundreds of students gathered outside, teachers held a brief assembly on the road before sending the children back home.

However, when the administration contacted Soldier Bazaar Police Station and the SBCA offices, both institutions denied issuing any such order.

"We told them no official notice was issued from SBCA regarding closure of the school," an SBCA official reportedly informed the school.

Parents and staff alleged that a powerful land mafia was behind the move - citing previous attempts to grab the prime property.

"This is not the first time," said a senior teacher. "There have already been three attempts to occupy the school land. They even once brought a bulldozer to demolish a part of the structure, but residents and police stopped them."

Town Nazim, accompanied by area police, broke the locks on Saturday afternoon after confirming the seal was fake.

"No one will be allowed to occupy public land meant for girls' education," the Nazim told reporters. "We will protect this school and ensure students continue their studies without fear."

Students expressed fear that their education could be derailed if such attempts continue.

"Our parents are daily-wage workers. We cannot afford private schools where fees are in thousands of rupees," said a Class 9 student. "If they close our school, they will shut the doors to our future."

School operations resumed as normal on Monday, but teachers worry more attempts may follow.

"The mafia is influential, but we believe the prayers of these children will defeat them," said the watchman who witnessed previous intrusion attempts.

Students have appealed to the authorities to ensure their school remains protected.

"Please don't seal our school again," they said. "If our school is locked, our education will also be locked."