Sindh govt, private schools reach truce

Strike called off as clear, transparent process ensures parents' dignity

KARACHI:

Tensions between private schools and the Sindh government over the verification of free education lists eased on Tuesday after a detailed meeting between the Grand Alliance of Private Schools Associations and provincial education authorities. The alliance had announced a strike for January 9 in protest against the verification process, citing concerns about harassment of school administrators and parents during inspections.

Education Minister Syed Sardar Ali Shah, accompanied by Anti-Corruption Establishment Chairman Zulfiqar Ali Shah, Secretary School Education Zahid Ali Abbasi, and Director General of Private Schools Muhammad Afzal, held the meeting with alliance representatives, including Anwar Ali Bhatti, Syed Tariq Shah, Syed Shehzad Akhtar, Danish-ul-Zaman, Nasser Zaidi, and Haider Ali. The discussions focused on the verification of free education data in private institutions and the challenges faced by schools and parents during the process.

Minister Shah acknowledged the concerns of the private schools, highlighting that while the court's directives must be respected, the verification process must be transparent, structured, and fair. He assured that the Directorate of Inspection and Registration of Private Institutions would work closely with schools to address all issues and ensure that parents and students are not subjected to unnecessary inconvenience or humiliation.

The minister also praised private schools for their significant contribution to education in Sindh, noting that alongside the government, private institutions are providing education to millions of children, while also meeting financial obligations such as taxes, rent, and utilities.

Following the assurances of a coordinated and transparent verification mechanism, the Grand Alliance of Private Schools Associations announced the immediate withdrawal of the strike, stating their commitment to cooperate with the government to safeguard students' rights while maintaining compliance with judicial directives.

The resolution ensures that the verification of free education data will continue, but with clear guidelines to protect the dignity of school administrators and parents, fostering a cooperative environment for both education providers and authorities.

Earlier Jamaat-e-Islami Karachi denounced raids by the Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) on private schools to verify lists of students receiving free tuition.

Per law, private schools must provide free education to at least 10 per cent deserving students in their institutions.

However, recent raids by ACE to verify the facility resulted in a strong backlash.

Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Karachi Monem Zafar Khan said on Tuesday that it is extremely disturbing that parents of children receiving free education are being summoned to schools and their videos and photographs are being recorded.

This is a wholly unethical and illegal practice that severely threatens the dignity and self-respect of these parents and subjects them to humiliation and a sense of inferiority in society-something intolerable in any civilized society.