CHARSADDA: Scores of private schools were sealed by district administrations in different parts of the province for violating the government’s restriction on campus reopening before Sept 15.

In Charsadda, the district administration sealed 18 private schools following their reopening in violation of the government’s restrictions.

The administration of several private schools in Charsadda district on the call of Private Education Network (PEN) reopened their schools on August 15.

According to sources, 15 per cent students attended the classes in these schools which included Hira Public School, Al-Karim Public School, Leads School, Maple Leaf School, FCA Public School, Muslim Public School, Syed Public School and others.

Meanwhile, the administrations of sealed schools threatened to begin classes on the streets from Aug 17.

They said they would not give in to the district administration’s pressure and would continue with classes to save the time of students.

Sajjad Ali, spokesman for PEN, condemned the government’s action against educational institutions.

In Lower Dir, the district administration closed several private schools that reopened on the call of PEN, a representative body of private educational institutions, on Saturday.

On the directives of deputy commissioner Saadat Hassan, the ACs visited the private schools in their jurisdiction and took the action.

In Chitral, the private schools and colleges reopened partially.

President of Chitral chapter of PEN, Wajeehuddin Syed, said that presently only the senior sections of the schools had been opened with complete adherence to the SOPs set by the government to contain coronavirus.

He said the colleges were already closed as the students of both the intermediate and degree classes had been relieved for examinations and the new classes would start by mid of September.

In Malakand, the private educational institutions reopened despite the government ban.

According to PEN provincial senior vice-president Amjad Ali Shah, all the private schools across Malakand area had been reopened and classes were conducted in majority of them under the given SOPs to prevent spread of coronavirus.

In Buner, the district administration sealed four educational institutions for resuming classes despite restriction.

AAC Daggar Syed Munawar Shah led the raids on those schools and colleges in Jowar Salarzai area.

The Private Education Network held a meeting in Swari area and resented the sealing of schools and colleges.

Published in Dawn, August 16th, 2020