Schools affiliated with Aga Khan Board stay open as others close

Karachi
Despite the education minister’s directives for schools to remain functional on Thursday, educational activities largely remained suspended in the wake of the deadly attack on the Ismaili community, except in schools registered with the Aga Khan University Education Board (AKUEB) where classes, as well as examinations, were held as per routine.
However, O and A-Level examinations being taken under the Cambridge education system were conducted in accordance with the schedule.
“As is our tradition, the Aga Khan University including the AKUEB will continue to serve students and patients...such events will not deter us from our mission of education and service,” said an official of the board while speaking to The News.
While speaking to media personnel in the aftermath of the attack, senior education minister Nisar Akhmed Khuhro had in accordance with a meeting held with school associations on March 19 appealed for there to be no interference or pressure on educational institutions to suspend classes.
“With the power of education would we be able to combat terrorism. No matter what circumstances there may be, the educational process should continue in order to defeat the terrorist’s agenda.”
Fahad Siddiqui, a father of two school going children opined that the practice of closing down schools was no way of expressing solidarity with the victims. “Such incidents should in fact be discussed with students to help them differentiate between right and wrong rather than suspending activities at schools for a day or two.”
Another concerned parent, Maha Qadri, suggested the country stopped looking out for reasons to sit back home, “There are better ways to protest specially studying hard and defeating the evil mindset which forces people to attack innocent citizens in the first place,” she added.