ISLAMABAD: In this era of information technology (IT), there are dozens of public schools in Islamabad, which do not have computer labs or specialist teachers. IT is a compulsory subject from grade six to eight, for students studying in Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) schools.

Out of a total of 392 schools, only 152 have IT labs or staff.

“I agree, there is a dire need to establish IT labs in dozens of middle and high schools,” said a senior FDE official.

He said IT was made a compulsory subject at school level during the time of former president Pervez Musharraf but no successive government took steps to equip schools with labs.

The FDE established computer labs in 152 schools in phases and hired staff accordingly, he said.

A school principal said that a number of students studying in schools without labs also do not have computers at home and they do not even know how to switch on a computer.

“IT is a subject which requires a practical component,” he said.

Two colleges Islamabad Model College for Girls (IMCG) Sihala and IMCG I-14 are also running without IT labs for students.

Meanwhile, the fate of 11 IT labs, established under the Computer Lab Programme, is precarious as the contracts of their staff expired on December 30, 2014 and have not be renewed since.

“It’s sheer negligence on the part of the FDE. If we leave now, what will happen to our students?” asks an IT teacher.

Another IT teacher who has been trying to have his contract renewed said that it is the middle of the academic year and it is unfair to the students if the IT teachers suddenly leave.

He said all 89 staff members hired for IT education, including 23 teachers, were supposed to be regularised but the FDE neglected to do so.

“It appears that some officers do not wish to see this project continue,” he said.

FDE IT in-charge, Talat Saeed said that there are computer labs in 152 schools and efforts are being made to establish more.

In response to a question about the Computer Lab Programme, he said that PC-4 of the project has been forwarded to the Planning Commission for approval. “I agree, currently, this program is hanging in balance, but efforts are being made to get the next phase approved,” he said.

Published in Dawn, January 30th, 2015

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