ISLAMABAD: In a bid to end the non-conforming use of houses, the city managers have finalised a new policy to rent out school plots to Islamabad-based private schools.

“The undeveloped plots for the educational facilities and schools in different sectors of Islamabad will be offered to parties already running schools in Islamabad in an open auction at the rate offered by the prequalified bidder on rental method. The starting bid of rental value is Rs500,000 per month with two years and a half years construction period on the payment of insurance guarantee amounting Rs30 million as performance guarantee. There shall be annual increase of 10pc in monthly rent,” read the new policy.

The schools will be bound to allocate a percentage of scholarships for needy and destitute students who shall be granted financial assistance as per statutes of private educational institution regulatory authority.

The rental model of the policy stated: “One sponsor/brand/school is eligible for the allocation of only one plot. Two and half years construction/functioning period shall be allowed free of rent. Successful bidder will pay a performance guarantee in the shape of insurance guarantee from ‘AAA’ rating company amounting to Rs30 million for timely completion and function of school, rental agreement is non-transferable, extension on construction period will be allowed up to 6 months on the payment of penalty… No further extension in the construction period will be allowed and the agreement will be rescinded with the approval of the CDA Board, all the structure of the plot will vest with CDA,” added the new policy.

Plots for educational facilities to be offered to prequalified bidders to end non-conforming use

The policy said organisations, which are already operating educational facilities in Islamabad with proper registration, could apply for getting plots on rent. The new policy said on acceptance of the application, the party/school must be able to construct a cutting-edge building with all services and make the school functional within two and a half years on the allocated land.

CDA chief’s intervention

According to sources, the proposal to give plots in Islamabad to schools across Pakistan was opposed by the CDA chairman, Anwarul Haq.

“What are you doing and saying; on the one hand, you are saying that there is a need to end the non-conforming use in Islamabad, but in the policy, you are pleading that schools across Pakistan should be given plots in Islamabad; under this formula, how can the CDA end the non-conforming use,” the CDA chief was quoted as saying to CDA officials during a recent meeting.

He reportedly said the CDA was supposed to deal with the issues of Islamabad; therefore, priority should be given to the Islamabad-based schools only. After the intervention of the chairman, the policy was amended and restricted to Islamabad-based schools with a special focus on a competitive process.

Following this, new criteria were finalised. Now the CDA will invite prequalified bidders to offer their bids in an open auction against the undeveloped and designated school sites situated in different CDA sectors, each measuring 4 kanal to 6 kanal, on a rental model.

The new criteria have 100 marks: 10 marks for enrolment, 15 marks for financial soundness based on bank records, and 10 marks for the period of experience of the school.

There are also 10 marks for fee structure, with those charging Rs25,000 monthly fee will be given 5 marks, and those charging from Rs15,000-25,000 will be given 7 marks, and those charging less than Rs15,000 will be given 10 marks.

Similarly, 5 marks are fixed for single-entity schools and two marks for joint ventures; 15 marks are reserved for recorded quality of teaching and learning, while 15 marks are reserved for the number of active branches.

Published in Dawn, March 29th, 2024