KARACHI, May 17: An administrative decision regarding change of a private school campus from PECHS to Gulshan-i-Iqbal has upset a number of parents. Reacting over the decision, parents gathered near the school in PECHS on Tuesday and finally made representations to the school authority, pleading for withdrawal of the decision as, according to them; their wards would have to suffer the agony of travelling a longer distance and almost be cut-off from residences in case of any violence in the city.
It was learnt that on Monday, the management of Foundation Pubic School (Junior-II) distributed a circular, informing the parents that a purpose-built campus was being opened in Block-10, Gulshan-i-Iqbal and as such the students of classes IV and V of the PECHS campus would have to report there from the next academic session, commencing in August.
At present the foundation schools are functioning at different buildings, including those established on residential plots. At the Junior-II campus about 460 students distributed in 19 sections are enrolled for Classes V and VI.
The parents said that they were not taken into confidence and decision was surprising as well as most of the students would have to go to Gulshan-i-Iqbal from distant areas like Defence and Clifton.
The parents are of the view that when the administration had got a campus in the Defence area then they should transfer the students to that campus. They said that they condemn the decision of shifting and if needed would form a parents action committee and could also go to the court of law.
The vice-principal of the Junior-II campus, Irum Khan, told Dawn that the management, which was already under criticism, like other privately managed schools in the city, for running schools in Bungalows and other residential accommodations, wanted to provide spacious campuses with all due academic and extra-curricular facilities and the decision to withdraw classes IV and V from PECHS area was move towards fulfilment of the target.
She said that different campuses would be merged at three locations in PECHS, Defence and Gulshan-i-Iqbal in future. Parents should cooperate with the management in providing better premises to their children, she added, saying that the Gulshan campus established on a big and independent piece of land would start operating soon.
To a question she said that the shifting of classes was mainly being not appreciated by parents residing in Defence area, while 80 per cent of the students of the Junior–II campus were located in PECHS and Gulshan-i-Iqbal. Students belonging to Defence or Clifton area would have to undergo additional drive of about 15 minutes for the new Gulshan campus.
Ms Khan said that management of the school had already been informed about the grievances of the parents, who numbered around 50 and had a meeting with her on Tuesday. We want to hear from more parents and workout alternatives for the genuinely affected students, she added, saying that a final decision on the issue will be taken by Friday.
A parent residing in the Sea-View area said that parents had got the right to disagree with the management and that’s why they gathered and communicated their point of view to the school.
