Private schools resume classes from June 1

Rafiullah Mandokhail

ZHOB: In order to save the precious times of students, All Private Schools Association Zhob held a meeting and decided to open the schools and resume classes from June 1st. Around 45 heads of the private institutions including Abdul Ghafoor Mandokhail, Juma Rahim Mandokhail, Noor-ul-Amin Gandapur, Hassan Tuniwal, Sakhi Marjan, Khalid Taj, Muhammad Munir, Sada Muhammad, Abdul Mateen, Ch Afzal, Kaleemullah Mandokhail, Azmir Mandokhail, Faiz Muhammad Sherani, Sadiq Mandokhail, M. Yar Musakhail, Nasir Mandokhail, Sardar Khan, Muhib, Anwer Gul Bangash, Muhammad Ajmal, Muhammad Ikram, Molvi Sultan Wali, Muhammad Akbar, Muhammad Kashif and Atta-ul-Mulk attended the meeting and formed an eleven-member committee unanimously.

Speaking on the occasion, senior teachers said that following the Covid-19 pandemic and closure of schools, the private school sector was also facing the same crisis being faced by the other segments of society during the lockdown. They demanded an end to the discriminatory practices with private educational institutions.

“There are approximately 2800 private schools in Balochistan with 700,000 students and around 30,000 teaching and non-teaching staff including female staff, earning their bread and butter”.

They said lack of coordination and unity among the associations, resulted in numerous problems. Due to non-recognition of private schools as a stakeholder, wrong decisions have been imposed on private schools for the last five years. Balochistan Education Foundation established for the welfare of private institutions always remained active for the blue eyed people contradictory to the 1994 Act passed by the assembly that deviates from its objectives, but no one to ask.

“The suspension of millions of rupees funds, Act 2015 imposition, annual Rs 15000 NOC charges, registration fees ranging from Rs 6000 to Rs 15,000 for primary, middle, high classes and college level respectively, pressure of property owners on schools and salaries of teaching staff are the core issues faced by the private schools,” adding despite receiving funds from UNICEF and EU, it is beyond comprehension to make the eighth grade compulsory for private high schools.

Moreover they said, non-payment of fees by the parents, civil petition in court and chief justice order to grant 50% concession in fees because of the closure of schools are disappointing and indicate disrespect towards private school teachers and institutions as well. They termed the decision in stark contrast to the ground realities.

They said the schools management also faces problems in bearing monthly expenses such as paying salaries of teachers, utility bills and rent. The meeting asked the parents to arrange books and uniform for the students and contact their respective school management for admissions and fees submission.