Post-closure: Thin attendance at schools, colleges
The reopening does not apply to all schools, as 27 are still occupied by the police.
ISLAMABAD:
Schools and colleges in Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) reopened on Wednesday after a three-week delay caused by ongoing protests.
The educational institutes were supposed to open on August 11, following the end of summer vacations, but the ‘vacations’ were extended four times because many institutes were housing security officials brought in to reinforce the Islamabad Police.
Initially around 60 education institutes were handed over to cops from AJK, Punjab and the Islamabad Police. Later, the Capital Administration and Development Division wrote a letter to the district government and the Ministry of Interior asking for the buildings to be vacated so that academic activities can be started.
The reopening does not apply to all schools, as 27 are still occupied by the police.
On the first day of classes, attendance was low and many teachers were seen in their offices and staffrooms instead of class. “Each class had just two to three students. I think it is because of uncertainty in the city,” said a teacher at Islamabad Model College for Boys I-8/3.
A teacher at Islamabad Model College for Girls I-8/4 added that all day, there was nothing to do. “Strength is below expectation because of the uncertain state of the capital,” the teacher added.
Meanwhile, the CADD additional secretary said they are trying to vacate the remaining 27 schools and colleges. “We are in talks with government for the handover of those institutes so academic affairs can move forward,” he said.
Many of the principals are also wary of damages to facilities at educational institutes after almost three weeks of use as police barracks.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 4th, 2014.
Schools and colleges in Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) reopened on Wednesday after a three-week delay caused by ongoing protests.
The educational institutes were supposed to open on August 11, following the end of summer vacations, but the ‘vacations’ were extended four times because many institutes were housing security officials brought in to reinforce the Islamabad Police.
Initially around 60 education institutes were handed over to cops from AJK, Punjab and the Islamabad Police. Later, the Capital Administration and Development Division wrote a letter to the district government and the Ministry of Interior asking for the buildings to be vacated so that academic activities can be started.
The reopening does not apply to all schools, as 27 are still occupied by the police.
On the first day of classes, attendance was low and many teachers were seen in their offices and staffrooms instead of class. “Each class had just two to three students. I think it is because of uncertainty in the city,” said a teacher at Islamabad Model College for Boys I-8/3.
A teacher at Islamabad Model College for Girls I-8/4 added that all day, there was nothing to do. “Strength is below expectation because of the uncertain state of the capital,” the teacher added.
Meanwhile, the CADD additional secretary said they are trying to vacate the remaining 27 schools and colleges. “We are in talks with government for the handover of those institutes so academic affairs can move forward,” he said.
Many of the principals are also wary of damages to facilities at educational institutes after almost three weeks of use as police barracks.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 4th, 2014.