ISLAMABAD: In an abrupt move, Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) has announced the decision to cut spring break short to hold the annual sports week in educational institutions. Additionally, on the proposed dates (April 6 to April 10), senior classes would not be able to participate as they would be appearing for board exams.

Sources in the FDE told Dawn that a recent notification issued by the FDE announced the decision to hold sports events in 422 educational institutions. During the time when sports events are to be held, grade nine and 10 would be appearing for annual examinations conducted by the Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (FBISE).

Meanwhile, college students in first and second year would be on holidays from March 31 to prepare for exams conducted from April 25, by the FBISE.

“The games are useless for the students. It appears that FDE officials are bent on wasting funds,” a school teacher said.

The FDE has announced that spring holidays, from April 1 to April 10, will be cut short to hold the sports gala. According to the notification, teachers and students will be on holiday from April 1 to 5 but must return to their schools and colleges to attend the sports week from April 6.

One week of spring break being taken away for the event

The inter-school sports events are an annual activity organised for students in FDE-run schools and colleges. Usually, the event is organised in November or September, each year.

In the current academic year, this annual activity was skipped which drew criticism from students, teachers and parents. However, now the notification has been suddenly issued when the academic year is almost over.

Professor Tahir Mehmood from H-8 College crticised the decision and said that the FDE should have held the games in September or November, according to the calendar.

“It is an illogical decision by the FDE as most students will not be available to participate in these games,” he said.

Salma Shaheen, the president of Islamabad Model Schools and College Heads Association, expressed resentment over the notification issued by the FDE for holding sports games.

“Before taking the decision to hold the games, the officials did not even check the ground realities. Without participation of the senior classes 9, 10, first and second year, there is no point in holding the event,” she said.

Another teacher, choosing not to be named, said by organising the event, the FDE is simply trying to fulfill a formality.

Teachers requested the FDE director general to postpone the games until November.

When contacted, FDE Director Sports Asif Niazi said: “In the past, I would issue sports-related notifications but I was not consulted this time when the decision was made. The games should be postponed to ensure all students are able to participate.”

Published in Dawn, March 26th, 2015

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