Islamabad:Around 40 students of Islamabad College for Boys (ICB), G-6/3 residing in the hostel building inside the college premises have been directed by the college administration to vacate the hostel within 24-hour notice.
This sudden eviction raised concerns among students, particularly those hailing from remote regions of the country and grappling with a severe accommodation crisis. The situation unfolded when the Joint Secretary Administration at the Ministry of Federal Education & Professional Training (MOFE&PT), along with a team, visited the hostel on Monday. Subsequently, officials from MOFE&PT, accompanied by a contractor, marked areas in need of renovation within the hostel premises. However, the situation took a drastic turn on April 23, 2024, when the college administration instructed the hostel superintendent to evacuate the premises within a brief timeframe. This decision has left students, comprising classes XI, XII, and graduation levels, scrambling for alternative accommodation, with many unable to afford the exorbitant costs of living outside the college premises.
The hostel, which was renovated only a year or two ago, serves as a lifeline for these students, many of whom come from financially constrained backgrounds. Their inability to afford accommodations outside the college premises exacerbates the severity of the situation.
The students hailing from various regions of Pakistan, including Gilgit Baltistan, Kashmir, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Sindh rely on the hostel for accommodation as they pursue their education in Islamabad. This abrupt displacement not only disrupts the students' academic pursuits but also raises serious concerns about their welfare and safety.
A college teacher, speaking on the condition of anonymity, decried the decision, stating that shutting the doors of the hostel for these students is a disservice to education and a blatant injustice. He condemned the action, stating that if the sons of officials responsible for the hostel closure were in the same situation, such an unjust move would never have been made. This sentiment underscores the prevalent perception that 'might is right' in the country, where the needs and rights of the less privileged are often overlooked.
Another teacher said that the closure of the hostel not only deprives these students of a safe and conducive living environment but also undermines their access to education. Forcing them to fend for themselves in an already challenging socio-economic landscape is not only short-sighted but also callous. The plight of these students underscores the glaring disparities within the education system, where power frequently overrides principles of fairness and justice. Repeated attempts to seek clarification from the Principal yielded no response.