PESHAWAR: Different associations of private schools on Tuesday stage a protest demonstration outside the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly against the government’s decision of closing educational institutions amid third Covid-19 wave.

They were holding banners and placards inscribed with slogans against the closures of schools.

The protesters also chanted slogans against the government for its ‘anti-education’ policies. The representatives of the associations staging demonstration included Hub of Private Education KP, Private Education Network, Private School Education Association and Iqra Education System.

Talking to Dawn, president of Hub of Private Education Aqeel Raziq claimed that while all businesses, wedding ceremonies and other gatherings had been taking place across the province the government had only ‘targeted’ the education sector.

He said that despite following all the standard operating procedures the educational institutions were closed time and again.

He said if schools were not reopened then thousands of owners and teachers of the private schools would stage a sit-in at the D-Chowk in Islamabad on April 5.

The repeated closures of the schools has literally destroyed the private education sector in the province, he declared.

Aqeel Raziq said the parents whose children were enrolled in the elite schools had been paying fees despite closures, but children enrolled in schools established on the streets were exempted from fee.

Published in Dawn, March 31st, 2021