In an unprecedented “rebellious” move, the All Pakistan Private Schools’ Federation (APPSF) on Sunday announced to hold “outdoor classes” from Monday (August 23).
The APPSF has rebelled against the Sindh government’s decision to close schools “till further orders.”
According to Tariq Shah, who represents the All Private Schools Management Association (APSMA) Sindh, the federation of private schools said it was ready to face the risk of being arrests or having schools sealed. It also planned to hold demonstrations at 9am on Monday.
Meanwhile, APPSF leader Kashif Mirza told a news channel that the association had made the decision after consultations with allied organisations.
“Children in the Sindh province have an equal right to education,” he said referring to the fact that schools had opened in other provinces from August 2.
Mirza said private schools in Sindh would open from August 23 and “we are ready to accept the risk of being arrested or having our schools sealed.”
He said if the schools were sealed by the authorities, classes would be held outdoors.
Mirza, however, admitted that it was difficult to hold outdoor classes due to hot weather in Karachi.
He claimed most of the parents supported the decision. Recent surveys showed that 93 percent of parents wanted the schools to reopen, he added.
Meanwhile, All Pakistan Private Schools and Colleges Association President Malik Abrar Hussain said parents in Karachi were demanding that schools be reopened.
He said schools in other provinces successfully followed the SOPs and no “untoward incident” had been reported.
GOVERNMENT REACTION: Sindh Minister Taimur Talpur agreed that classes were possible in the open if schools management could maintain a distance of six feet between students.
He urged private schools’ owners to discuss the future course of action with the government.
They should not take unilateral decisions, he advised them.
