Last call: District admin gives 3-day ultimatum to schools in Charsadda

Licences will be suspended if security not enhanced

PESHAWAR/ CHARSADDA:

The district administration has given a three-day ultimatum to all educational institutions in Charsadda to augment security or face suspension of licences under Section 144.

The warning was issued following a meeting of district authorities at the DC’s office on Friday. Vigilance committees consisting of sub-divisional police officers and ACs have been directed to oversee security arrangements in schools on tehsil-level and report to the district vigilance committee.



According to a district official, about 80% of the private schools have undertaken security measures as per recommendations laid down by the government. He, however, said 63 government schools do not even have adequate boundary walls. These include Charsadda City Government High School. He said despite the allocation of parent teacher council (PTC) funds for security arrangements at government schools, the district accounts office is yet to release the money.

Ali Mansher, landowner of Malik Nawaz Government Primary School, Aranda, told The Express Tribune schools do not even have boundary walls, let alone security guards or watchmen. “Is it the job of teachers and students to ensure their schools are well-guarded?” he questioned.

‘Beyond our means’

The Private Schools Association (PSA) has expressed concerns over the alleged dual standards of the district administration. PSA district president Nafeesullah said all private schools are trying their best to meet the requirements set by the administration while government schools await “divine intervention”. He said it is impossible for all educational institutions of the district to afford CCTV cameras, walk-through gates, metal detectors and security guards from their own kitty and that the association will resist any action initiated by the district administration.

Allocation of funds

The provincial government will provide Rs1 billion for security arrangements in schools across the province. The decision was taken during a meeting chaired by Minister for Information Mushtaq Ghani in Peshawar on Friday. Schools will be divided into three categories depending on the intensity of threats to them.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 17^th, 2015.