50 percent private schools might permanently close, says APPSA

The All Pakistan Private School Association appealed the Governor of Punjab, Chaudhary Mohammad Sarwar, to take immediate notice to save thousands of private schools that may have to permanently close-down due to the loss caused by coronavirus pandemic.

The President of APPSA, Kashif Mirza, and the 8-member delegation met the Governor of Punjab briefed him about the problems faced by the private school amid coronavirus lead school closures. In a meeting, Mirza said that we would have to save the private schools from permanent closure. He also said that the government should reopen schools as soon as possible as it has allowed the reopening of other institutions. "By starting the academic session in two shifts, morning and afternoon, the social distancing factor can be implemented. If the government would not take the matter seriously, we fear 50 percent of the private schools will be closed down permanently, and more than 1 million people will be unemployed," said Mirza.

Mirza further said that more than 2.5 million children are already out of schools in Pakistan. In this situation, having 5 million more children losing their constitutional right to education will be an unbearable loss. He also said that the countries most affected by coronavirus had reopened schools. "India, Iran, Srilanka, China, Brazil, Bangladesh, USA, Saudi Arabia, Hongkong, and other European countries which were most affected by COVID-19 have reopened schools."

Mirza further informed the governor that 90 percent of the private schools are on rented buildings, and the rent and the salaries of teachers depend on the fees collected from the students. "Due to school closures, parents have not paid the fees for four months, and schools have started to close down permanently", said Mirza.

Mirza requested that if not in July, the government must allow the reopening of schools in August. Sarwar assured the president of APPSA that he would take the matter to the Prime Minister and President of Pakistan to find a way to save the private schools from the closure.