Education Watch

Published May 28, 2016
A number of private schools have been fined for violating non-conforming use of residential buildings. — Dawn
A number of private schools have been fined for violating non-conforming use of residential buildings. — Dawn

Schools in residential areas fined

The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has started imposing fines on private schools for non-conforming use residential premises.

According to members of the Private Schools Association, a number of private schools have been fined Rs0.5 million for non-conforming use.

Private Schools Association Presidents Zofran Elahi told Dawn that Islamabad Public School in I-10/1 was fined on May 10 and that the CDA Deputy Commissioner (DC) had directed the school management to pay the fine in five days and to end non-conforming use of the property in 15 days, failing which the owner will be charged with a fine of Rs5,000 per day.

“According to CDA’s by-laws, schools are not allowed to operate from residential properties and the DC is imposing fines in accordance with the rules and regulations. However, the government is thinking about giving relaxation to the owners of private schools,” said Shafi Marwat, CDA director building control.

Last month, a committee was formed to draft a plan for the relocation of private educational institutions which operate in residential areas. The committee suggested the federal government should ask the Supreme Court to give two years time to schools for moving from houses to purpose built buildings.

The committee also suggested that CDA offer 120 plots of four kanals each to schools and that the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) explore the possibility of arranging for the 120 plots by cutting down the sizes of already constructed and vacant government educational institutions. These plots would be given to private schools over five years.

However, the Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD) is yet to decide on what to do with the concerned schools in light of the committee’s recommendations.

Talking to Dawn, State Minister for CADD Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said till the ministry decides what to do about the concerned schools. CDA should not impose fines on them.


HEC hosts declamation contest

State Minister Baleeghur Rehman presents a shield to a student at the 18th All Pakistan Inter-University Declamation Contest. — Dawn
State Minister Baleeghur Rehman presents a shield to a student at the 18th All Pakistan Inter-University Declamation Contest. — Dawn

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) hosted the final round of the 18th All Pakistan Inter-University Declamation Contest at its secretariat on Thursday.

The State Minister for Education and Professional Training Engineer Baleeghur Rehman was the chief guest at the event. HEC Chairman Dr Mukhtar Ahmed, the vice chancellors and students of various universities also attended. Shehan Zafar from the University of Punjab in Lahore and Ammad Shakil from the Al-Hamd Islamic University in Quetta won the Allama Iqbal Shield in English and Urdu respectively.

Rameesha Khan from the University of Punjab won the second prize in the English category with Abdul Hanan from the Government College University Faisalabad won the third prize in the same category.

Abdullah Imran from the University of Engineering and Technology in Lahore and Taqi Jawad from Preston University Kohat won the second and third positions in the Urdu category respectively.

Speaking at the event, the State Minister for Education Balighur Rehman said that declamation contests and speech competitions encourage students to improve their analytical skills and to think critically.

HEC Chairman Dr Mukhtar Ahmed congratulated the position holders and announced that the cash prize will be increased from Rs60,000 to Rs100,000 for the first position holder, from Rs50,000 to Rs75,000 for the second position holder and from Rs40,000 to Rs50,000 for the third position holder. He also announced that Rs10,000 will be given to all participants of the contest. Some 30 students had participated in the final round of the contest.

The dean of the faculty of social sciences at the Air University Prof Dr Waseema Shehzad chaired the English session while Prof Fateh Mohammad Malik, the former Rector International Islamic University chaired the Urdu session.

Published in Dawn, May 28th, 2016

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