Private schools across Punjab to reopen Monday

New SOP issued for schools security: Mashood

All private and government schools across Punjab will reopen on Monday as talks between the government and All-Pakistan Private Schools’ Federation on Sunday succeeded.

Punjab Education Minister Rana Mashood met the delegation of All Pakistan Private Schools Federation and assured them that all necessary measurements had been taken for schools to reopen.

After the meeting, the minister told the media that a new standing operating procedure (SOP) had been issued regarding schools’ security. A committee had been formed to monitor the SOP’s implementation, he added.

The private schools’ federation on Saturday announced that they would not open their institutes on Monday (February 1) since the government had put the onus for security entirely on schools, instead of shouldering the responsibility itself.

“The schools were ordered to stay remain on Monday amid confusion and uncertainty. There was speculation as to whether schools were closed due to harsh weather or whether there was a security threat. The private schools’ heads and owners have since been harassed and intimidated by various government departments and law enforcement agencies. Several individuals from various government departments have been threatening to seal schools and register FIRs against school heads and owners. Their demands vary from case to case and are not based on any consistent written guidelines,” it said in a statement.

The statement underlined that the private schools would not re-open until the government fulfilled its duty and own responsibility for the security.

Meanwhile, one group of private school federation on Sunday has refused to reopen schools tomorrow.

According to details, the group has decided to open schools after fully ensuring foolproof security arrangements. The owners have also summoned a meeting into the matter.