Private schools in Punjab not to reopen on Monday

Provincial govt’s security-related ‘actions’ assailed

LAHORE: Leading private schools of the province on Saturday announced not to open their campuses on Monday (Feb 1) for what they termed the Punjab government’s ‘actions’ vis-à-vis security measures.

The public relations office of the Beaconhouse School System issued a press release on Saturday night, claiming that among others Lahore Grammar School, City School Network, LACAS, Salamat School System and Kids Kampus, Learning Alliance and Lahore Preschool, Resource Academia, LGS Landmark Schools, Allied Schools, Smart Schools and The Educators would remain closed as per decision of the All-Pakistan Private Schools Federation.

While elaborating the government’s ‘actions’, the press release states that the entire onus of security has been shifted by the Punjab government onto schools. An environment of confusion, uncertainty and fear has been created in the province and private schools and their heads and owners are being persistently harassed and intimidated by various government departments and law enforcement agencies.

“Individuals from various government departments, many with no security background, have been threatening to seal schools and issue FIRs against school heads and owners. Their demands vary from case to case and are not based on any consistent written guidelines.”

The press release also reads, “As per the Constitution of Pakistan, the security of all citizens is the responsibility of the state. Private schools are responsible for the provision of education. They cannot be expected to, nor do they have the resources, to provide the level of security that is being demanded by the government.”

  “The state is responsible for the safety and security of its citizens and of our children. It cannot pass on the entire responsibility for security to educational institutions .Private schools will therefore not reopen until the government fulfils its duty and assumes responsibility for the safety and security of our children and schools.”