ISLAMABAD: Students in government schools and colleges in the capital are enduring the scorching summer heat during frequent power outages.

The 422 educational institutions working under the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) are without any backup power supply system, such as UPS and generators.

“Loadshedding is a big worry for the parents as they cannot afford to educate their children in private schools,” said Habib Khan, whose son is enrolled at the I-8/3 Model School.

“It is impossible to concentrate on studies in the school during the power outages,” said Fatima, a class 8th student.

Some students from the rural areas also complained that their schools do not even have fans and water coolers due to which they preferred to stay at home most of the time.

When contacted, Dr Tariq Masood, the director colleges, said the provision of UPS/generators to schools and colleges was impossible.

“We have no plan to provide generators to the institutions due to limited resources.”

Dr Masood, however, said the educational institutions would remain closed from the start of June for over two months.

Published in Dawn, May 16th, 2016