Appeal to fairness

This letter refers to the news report ‘Aitchison College principal quits over ‘interference’ by governor’ (March 26, 2024). The option given by the principal to Mr and Mrs Cheema was in line with existing practice not only in Aitchison but also other similar institutions. However, they insisted that not only their children be retained on the rolls indefinitely but they should not be required to pay any fee. Having been a student at Aitchison both as a boarder and day scholar I can confidently state that the usual way to deal with the problem of parents being posted out of station is for the boys to become boarders during this period or to withdraw the children from the school and seek readmission once posted back to Lahore.

It is sad to see people allegedly acting in such an outrageous fashion. This incident also raises important questions with respect to the governing capabilities of the chairperson and members of the school’s board. There is an urgent need to commission an independent body to examine the fault lines in the structure and powers of the board.

Kamal Hyat

Lahore