ISLAMABAD: After 33 long years, the Maira Bagwal College is set to open its doors for students as Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) on Tuesday notified that the college will be functional in the upcoming session.

The college, located in a rural area near Bhara Kahu, was constructed in 1989, but successive governments failed to take measures for classes to begin in it. However, following continuous efforts during the last few years by PTI Member of National Assembly (MNA) Raja Khurram Nawaz, the FDE issued a notification, converting the college into Islamabad Model College for Boys (IMCB).

Principal and staff at the college have been formally appointed.

“Consequent upon the direction of Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training to take over Federal Government Poly Technical Institute Maira Bagwal, Islamabad and to rename it as Islamabad Model College for Boys, Maira Begwal, Islamabad. It is to notify that Islamabad Model College for Boys (IMCB), Maira Begwal has been established with immediate effect to make it operational from grade prep to 9th in the first phase for the upcoming Academic Session 2022-23 and up to higher secondary level in second phase,” read the notification issued by FDE.

“Today is a day of happiness for me and for people of a rural area from Islamabad as a college building which remained neglected for 33 long years will finally be open for classes,” said Mr Nawaz.

“This college will change the destiny of people living in the area. Let me appreciate Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood for taking personal interest in this public friendly project. I am thankful to all those who played a role for opening of this college,” he said.

Meanwhile, speaking to Dawn FDE Director General Dr Ikram Ali Malik said, “There is a shortage of colleges in rural areas and this institution will be highly beneficial for youth of the area. Earlier, those students who could afford to would get admission in colleges, which are located in the city area. While, those belonging to poor families were unable to continue their education,” the DG said, adding that the Public Works Department (PWD) has also prepared a PC-I for renovation and maintenance of the building.

“We have prepared a proper timeline for smooth start of classes and I will directly monitor all activities related to the task,” he said and added that in the coming months, a special campaign for admission will be run by the FDE.

Earlier, the said college during the last 33 years saw only one development which was the renovation of its building (between 2013-14) by a public sector university.

Locals and officials concerned said there was a Polytechnic Institute on Peshawar Road in Rawalpindi which was closed in 1977 after it became a venue for frequent protests. The officials said, in a bid to stop constant protests on Peshawar Road, the then government closed the college and converted it into an EME college.

Later, in 1985, the government decided to set up a new polytechnic college in Islamabad and the locals donated 232 kanals for this project in Maira Bagwal. Construction of the building was completed in 1989 but the college was awaiting its inauguration since then.

Published in Dawn, February 16th, 2022