KARACHI, Aug 29: Despite warnings by different agencies and orders by Sindh education department regarding closure of schools in the coastal areas, in face of health risks posed by oil spill from the grounded Greek tanker, several pre-primary and Montessori schools in the high-risk areas are still functioning, it is learnt.

Reportedly, education department had announced closure of all institutions, public as well as private, in the affected areas up to Aug 31, in view of air pollution caused by the spill.

The Defence Housing Authority (DHA) has already ordered closure of all schools and colleges in its jurisdiction until experts and relevant agencies declared the areas safe for school-going children.

Sindh Education Minister Irfanullah Marwat had earlier said that only those schools were closed whose administration or parents of children enrolled at schools complained that children were facing health problems due to pollution. But later, the education department ordered closure of all schools in the areas, after air pollution reportedly increased.

Reportedly, the city government had closed some 24 public and private schools along the coastal belt of Karachi till Aug 20, after it felt that students may face some health hazards owing to pollution.

These schools were earlier scheduled to open from August 18, after summer vacations, but city government extended holidays, for these schools, for three more days owing to the spill.

The residents of the affected areas had started shifting and the beach area was closed for visitors by authorities, after it was disclosed that they were suffering from respiratory disorders by breathing the oil-polluted air.

Reportedly, the city Nazim had asked the concerned department to wait for the clearance from authorities to allow re-opening these educational institutions.—PPI