ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) on Friday started its operation against private schools in residential areas by sealing 12 schools in Sector G-6 and its sub-sectors. The action was taken by the CDA’s building control directorate.

“Our operation will continue, as according to CDA’s rules and regulations, as well as the recent orders of the Islamabad High Court (IHC), private schools and any other commercial activities cannot take place in residential areas,” said director building control CDA, Faisal Naeem.

The private schools that have been sealed include the Educator schools, the Shaheen School and Academy, the Hallmark School, the School & Toddler Academy, Excellence School, the Quaid Public School, School Research, Arts & Science Schools, the Learner’s School and PIES school.

The civic body is, however, mulling over allowing preschools

CDA officials said that no serious resistance by the administrations of the schools was encountered as currently all educational institutions are observing summer holidays.

After sealing the school buildings, the CDA also intimated the police station concerned, which is the Aabpara Police Station. The building authority’s letter to the police stated that there is apprehension that some of the tenants and owners of the 12 schools may break the seals: “It is therefore requested that watch and ward of the sealed properties may be ordered to avoid any theft/untoward situation,” reads the letter.

There are some 363 private schools in residential areas in Islamabad. Recently, the civic agency rejected the proposal by private school operators to allow preschools in residential areas. Now, however, a summary is being prepared by the Planning Wing of the CDA, which is to be presented before the CDA board, to obtain approval to change its bylaws so that preschools can be allowed in residential areas.

The CDA also decided that from now onwards, it will earmark plots for private schools in all sub-sectors of new sectors; earlier the CDA allotted plots in such areas solely for schools run by the Federal Directorate of Education. Many private schools were allotted amenity plots in Sector H-8 at nominal charges. A few years ago, however, policy was changed so that such plots would be disposed of through open auction.

In May, on the directives of the IHC, CDA officials and the representatives of over 100 private schools held a meeting before the new policy was formulated. On this occasion, private school operators pleaded that primary schools too be allowed in residential sectors, but the CDA is mulling over preschools alone.

Speaking to Dawn on Friday, the president of the Private Schools’ Association, Zofran Elahi, condemned CDA’ s action. He said that the civic body ought to have considered the future of the students. “Around 250,000 students are studying in private schools in Islamabad,” he said, explaining that 20 years ago, there were 393 government schools which by now have been increased to 422 only. Meanwhile, the capital city’s population has increased five times. He pointed out that the government failed to establish public-sector schools commensurate to requirements. “Private schools filled this gap,” he said, reiterating that at least primary schools should be allowed in residential areas.

“It is a strange and sweeping decision,” he commented, “CDA has put the future of thousands of students at stake. [In] our country, no one carries out any research before taking major decisions.”

Published in Dawn, July 21st, 2018