ISLAMABAD: In violation of rules and regulations, the Ministry of Education and the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) have been making efforts to set up a private school on a plot worth billions of rupees under the public-private model.

The said piece of land in Sector F-11 is reserved for a government primary school to offer free education in the federal capital.

Sources in the Capital Development Authority (CDA), the custodian of Islamabad’s land, told Dawn that the FDE – through an official letter – informed the CDA that the education body was going to establish a school under the public-private partnership on the land reserved for a public school.

The plot measuring about 21 kanals is worth billions of rupees and is located in F-11/2. The FDE in its letter requested the CDA to hand over possession of the plot for the purpose.

CDA ‘may cancel allotment’ as plot is meant for non-commercial endeavours; teachers’ representative vows to resist move, go to court if needed

Sources in the CDA said that the plot reserved for a public school cannot be used for commercial purposes. They said that CDA “allots primary school plots free of cost to [the] FDE for the promotion of primary education, while it charges amenities (subsidised) rate for plots meant for secondary and higher schools”.

“We allotted this plot free of cost for the promotion of education; if the FDE will join hands with private firms for commercial activity, then we will not hesitate to cancel the allotment of this plot,” said an official of CDA.

“We are going to respond to FDE’s letter soon… We will not allow them to use [this plot] for private school education. Construction for private school(s) cannot be allowed on land reserved for government-run schools. Our terms and conditions of allotment are very clear,” said CDA’s spokesperson Syed Safdar Ali.

Under Article 25-A the State -- through the FDE -- is supposed to provide free and compulsory education to all school-going children. The Ministry of Education and the FDE are already offering free education and students from classes 1 to 10 are also being provided free books.

In the past, CDA allocated land to private schools in Islamabad at nominal rates but these schools still charge hefty fees. About this school, it is claimed that 20 per cent of students would study free of cost, insiders say that it “will be highly difficult for FDE and the education ministry to ensure 20pc free admissions” once the school becomes operational.

“We have over 430 public-sector educational institutions in Islamabad, which have been providing best education to students. I am unable to understand the reasons behind this dubious move…,” said an official of CDA.

He alleged “something was shady” behind this move and asked the “Federal Investigation Agency and National Accountability Bureau to look into this scam”.

On July 10, a letter by the FDE to the CDA stated: “CDA has earmarked a plot in street number 20, F-11/2 for construction of Primary School and to apprise that [the] Ministry of Education through its Departmental Development Working Party meeting has approved a project for ‘Establishment of Schools at Multiple Locations of ICT on Public Private Partnership Mode of Investment (initially, as pilot project at sector F-11/2).”

The letter seeking possession of the plot was issued by the FDE planning director, Inam Jahangir, with the approval of the FDE director general.

The FDE DG could not be approached. However, FDE director planning confirmed that the directorate wanted to set up a school on the government land through the public-private mode. He confirmed that wrote a letter to the CDA in this regard.

He said according to the proposal the private firm will charge 80pc students, but at least 20pc students will study without paying any fee.

Asked about article 25-A of the Constitution, which guarantees free education, the director said: “This is an initiative of the ministry to promote education through PP mode. The project has already been approved by the DDWP forum, having representations of all stakeholders, including Public-Private Partnership Authority.”

“The bids have already been received in this regard, but a final agreement is yet to be made,” he added. The director said that if all goes as planned, the private firm will establish the school under the ‘Built, Operate, and Transfer’ basis, adding that the school would be handed over to the FDE after 20 years.

Federal Government School Teachers Association President Malik Ameer Khan criticised the FDE and the ministry, saying that the teaching community would resist this project.

“Once this so-called public-private partnership is opened, then one after the other, our school plots will be given to private firms, which will charge exorbitant fees. Our schools are providing free education and we will not allow anyone to use plots meant for public schools for commercial purposes,” he said and added that the teaching and non-teaching community will stage a protest against the FDE DG outside his office and the education ministry. “Meanwhile, we are also planning to file a case in this regard,” he said.

Published in Dawn, July 12th, 2023