Kotri private schools defy govt order, stay open amid heatwave

KOTRI:

Several private schools in Kotri City and Site areas remain open despite the Sindh government's heatwave alert, as the Directorate of Private Schools has failed to enforce its own orders for summer vacations.

Parents said managements are pressuring them to buy uniforms, books, copies and other items from school premises, while children are being called to classes in extreme heat.

The directorate has been unable to rein in private schools in the Sindh chief minister's district. Despite clear government directives, schools in Gharibabad Colony, Qalandarabad Colony, Liaquat Road, Sikandarabad Colony, Nango Line, Khuda Ki Basti, Khurshid Colony and Site Kotri are still conducting classes.

Managements are reportedly keeping schools open for fee collection, forcing children to carry heavy bags in scorching temperatures. Local residents including Advocate Ishaq Qureshi, Muhammad Sharif and Shahzad Bhutto said private schools are running their own show while the director remains confined to his air-conditioned office.