Being the future of the nation, all modern facilities, including extra-curricular, should be provided to the students at educational institutions to groom the youngsters, however, majority of private systems and the schools running under Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) in federal capital are short of playgrounds, creating hindrance in healthy extra-curricular activities of students.
According to a Pakistan Today report, as many as 418 public schools and over 900 private ones are running in the rural and urban areas of federal capital, out of which 267 public institutions are located in rural areas of Islamabad while151 of them are in urban areas. On the other hand, there are 550 and 400 private schools in urban and rural areas respectively.
Over 60 percent private educational institutions do not have playgrounds for kids whereas the remaining ones provide only limited space for young students for physical development. It is said that the space for playground must be over 16 kanals while another 4 kanals must be used for building but these standards are not being followed.
The sources in FDE said only one school in the capital, Sihala Higher Secondary School, was situated on 20 acres of land. “Tarnol sector of Islamabad has 54 public sector schools but none of have playgrounds for students,” sources said, adding lack of playgrounds not only hamper extra curricular activities but also led the students towards illegal activities like intoxication and visiting net cafes.
According to sources, the CDA provides space for construction of public sector schools in the urban areas, while in rural areas land is purchased by other government authorities concerned. “The CDA allocates a space of 4 kanals but it has been reduced to 2.5 kanals in recent years,” sources said.
It is estimated that over 70 percent private schools are running in rented houses or buildings, without a playground.
A private school official, when contacted, said many educational institutions had constructed playgrounds for students to promote healthy activities, like different types of games. But some schools did not have the facility due to lack of space.
Senior educationists Prof Syed Ali Yar and Prof Waseem Ahmed while talking to Pakistan Today said playgrounds were essential for grooming healthy activities in students. They suggested the authorities concerned to take measures and provide space for different outdoor games.
Muhammad Aftab, a father of two school going kids, said a large number of schools were operating in the residential areas in small houses, which were unable to facilitate students with playgrounds.
The situation forced them to use greenbelts and streets as playgrounds, creating problems for the residents, he said.
Most of the students, aged 12 to 17, can be seen on greenbelts in different areas. A few schools have constructed parks, but these did not fulfil the requirements of all the students, the parents, while talking to this scribe, said.
“Lack of playgrounds in schools is a serious issue, which must be considered by the top concerned authorities to cater the needs of every school going child, so that he or she can participate actively in extra-curricular activities and sports to be physically fit,” parents demanded.
If a student is physically healthy, he or she can excel in academically, but if the students are deprived of sports and extra-curricular activities, their mental growth may also hampered or retarded, said Nudrat, a child specialist and psychologist.
When contacted, a senior official of FDE (Schools) accepted it as a fundamental issue and said it was in his notice. “It is because of booming population that the space is getting thinner day by day. We are working on the matter in collaboration with the CDA to solve the problem and future of these young students will be made secure,” he said.
All Pakistan Private Schools and College Association (APSCA) President Malik Ibrar said the private schools were working in rented houses in residential areas and they failed to provide playgrounds because of limited space. “However, the school administrations try their best to create space for playgrounds,” Ibrar said.