KARACHI, Jan 25: Sindh Education Minister Dr Hamida Khuhro has said that the decision to start academic session from August instead of April is a well considered one and aimed at provision of better academic atmosphere to students.

The minister described the demand of the Private Schools Management Association to implement such a decision after one year as without any justification.

She was of the view that the private schools should not oppose such a governmental decision in haste and any threat about protest or boycott was without any justification. Dr Khuhro pointed out that this decision had also been hailed at federal level and other provincial governments had been suggested to look into this.

She said that the sub-committee formed by the standing committee would soon prepare the schedule of the academic calendar keeping in view the recommendations of the educational boards and academic institutions so that the exams may not get affected and there is no academic loss in connection with the admission process.

She maintained that there were some complaints against private schools regarding enhancement in fee without any justification, lack of facilities in the institutions as well as about the salaries to the teachers and the staff.

The minister said that the education department would soon make an announcement with regard to the private schools. She said there were more than one association of the private schools created some ambiguity in ascertaining which body was the real representative of the private schools.

She said the government would continue encouraging private sector for promotion of education. She made it clear that no one would be allowed to make education a "business". -APP