January 4, 2006	Wednesday	Zilhaj 3, 1426

KARACHI, Jan 3: Many of the students and parents as well as managements of private schools are confused over the “inactiveness” of the Sindh education department in regard to a uniform implementation of its decision about winter vacations.

Parents said that it appeared that the education department had badly failed to implement its writ on private schools. All the government schools and about 95 per cent of the private educational institutions are observing winter vacations up to Jan 7, while the rest of the private schools remained open on Jan 2 and 3 as well, they said, adding that the government had perhaps decided to maintain a dual policy in the case of schools as well, which was not a good indication, they added.

While the secretary of education is avoiding any direct comment on the situation, some of the private school managements had reacted sharply against the department, saying that perhaps it was meant to serve the causes of two per cent of the private schools managed by big families with political connections.

In the meantime, Sindh Education Minister Dr Hamida Khuhro, who has returned from a foreign trip, has asked the provincial education secretary to brief her about the ongoing controversies regarding the winter holidays and grievances of the parents, said a source in the department, adding that the department on Tuesday too received complaints from parents.

In another development, Syed Khalid Shah and Sharfuzzaman, leaders of two separate associations of private school managements have also expressed their concern over the situation, saying that when they had demanded for a review in the winter vacation schedule and having it completed by Jan 2, the department showed an indifferent attitude.

Syed Khalid Shah of All Private Schools Management Association Sindh said that 98 per cent of the private schools did not accept the newly formed Private Institutions Management and Quality Assurance Board as it was a body of hand-picked members belonging to the elites and the feuds. We will not allow such a body which does not care about the middle and lower income groups or individuals, he added.

Mr Shah demanded of the government to take remedial measures otherwise the schools which were close in line with the government’s decision would also agitate over the issue and resume teaching from Jan 4.