Abdul Khaliq Qureshi
Abbottabad
Private Educational Institutions (PEIs) are facing closures. The government does not want to take the responsibility of opening the schools until the pandemic is considerably reduced. Different Associations of PEIs are going for the opening of schools unilaterally. This will create bad taste and the government and the Association may come to direct confrontation.
It will not augur well for the Education Sector. Almost all the sectors of the economy have been allowed to function, why only the Education Sector is being restrained. No relief package has been announced for the PEIs which is creating frustration and Private Schools charging a nominal fee are closing down by the dozens. The government should take things seriously and announce a relief package for the hard-hit small schools. It should also pave the way for Online or Distant education.
An eminent educationist, Irfan Talib, while talking to Abrar Ahmed Khan, Divisional President, All Pakistan Private Schools Management Association held the view that if the government could ask the Mobile Phone Providers to introduce cheap Student Internet Packages, they would happily do it as their clientele will increase manifold. The government can distribute Tablets amongst the students of PEIs which can be used for Online Education.
