Private schools, madrassahs threaten to launch protest

KARACHI: The alliances of Pakistan’s private schools and madrassahs have warned of ‘a long march and protests’ if all educational institutes were not allowed to reopen by September 15.

The warning came during a joint press conference held by the All Pakistan Private Schools & Colleges Association (APPSCA) and the Ittehad-e-Tanzeemat-e-Madaris Pakistan (ITMP), including the Wifaq-ul-Madaris Al-Arabia today (Sunday).

The spokesperson of Wifaq-ul-Madaris Al-Arabia Moulana Abdul Quddus Muhammadi said that the educational institutions were trying to resume educational activities in the country.

“The education sector, like other sectors, should be given a chance to reopen,” he asserted, adding that exams will be held keeping in view the government’s devised standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Meanwhile, the president of the APPSCA’s Central chapter, Malik Abrar Hussain, pointed out that almost 40 million children were affected due to the coronavirus lockdown, adding that hundreds of thousands of educational institutes were closed.

“All educational institutes must reopen on September 15 and if not we will hold a long march and sit-ins,” he warned.

On the occasion, APPSCA President Kashif Mirza informed that some 84 percent of parents were currently in favour of opening the educational institutions. “At the NCOC, the health ministry also recommended restarting classes for young children,” he explained.

He also highlighted how the government did not consider helping teachers across the government through its Ehsaas programmes. “We will not tolerate any further delays in opening the educational institutes,” he warned.

“We have a plan to make our long march a success; we have a Plan A, Plan B, and a Plan C as well,” he warned.