Summary At least 97,000 private schools in Punjab remained closed on March 8
LAHORE (Dunya News) – Private schools’ federation chairman Kashif Mirza has announced to open schools from tomorrow after two-day strike that ended today, Dunya News reported Wednesday.
While addressing a press conference, Mirza said that the federation does not want to strike at cost of students’ education and future. However, he said that the federation is protesting for its right. It is hoped that Governor Rafique Rajwana would consider the demands forwarded by the federation, he added.
However, the chairman warned the government of recalling strike for indefinite period if a positive answer is not given until next week. Private schools’ owners want fruit-bearing dialogue with the government, he added.
Punjab government and private schools’ owners could not strike a negotiation over the Education Authority Bill prompting a two-day strike by the federation. At least 97,000 private schools in Punjab remained closed on March 8 and 9.
The bill conditionally permits the schools to increase students’ fees by five percent. Whereas, the owners wanted at least ten percent increase.
Private schools’ owners have said that the government passed the bill without taking the association in confidence.
On the other hand, parents have denounced the government for being unable to resolve the issue and negotiate with the association. Guardians of young students have demanded the government to negotiate with the schools to avoid hindrance in education of the children.
Beaconhouse school system, Lahore Grammar School, Lacas, Lahore school, City school, Salamat school system, Allied school system, EFA, Kims school, Resource Academia, Kids Kampus, Lahore preschool, Learning Alliance, Dar-e-Arqam, American Lycetuff remained closed for two days among others.
Earlier, according to a report over 200 institutions were closed in February for inadequate security measures including 138 government-run schools and colleges.
More than 53 educational institutes in Rawalpindi division were issued warnings by law enforcers to improve security arrangements otherwise heads of the institute would be booked.
In addition to that, three universities were also closed in Punjab in January over poor security. Lahore College for Women University (LCWU), University of Engineering and Technology (UET) and Bahauddin Zakariya University (BZU), Multan were ordered to beef up security for safer environment for the students.
