Rawalpindi:
Supported by parents, All Pakistan Private Schools and Management Association (Appsma) announced on Wednesday its intention to challenge the Rawalpindi bench of the High Court of Lahore (LHC) The decision of the Punjab government to keep the public and private schools closed until August 31.
Parents condemned the decision of the Department of Provincial Education to allow only classes 9 and 10 to reopen, describing it as inadequate and expressing regret that other classes remain excluded.
They said that repeated and unexpected closures had endangered the future of their children.
The decision to extend the summer holidays until August 31, they added, would be disputed in court. In their petition, the petitioners argue that the extension is unjustified. They note that in other provinces, as well as in all educational establishments of the federal government, academic activities are continuing.
In Rawalpindi, the schools of the federal government remain open, while those of the administration of Punjab are closed – a situation which they affirm constitute a discrimination against the educational establishments of Punjab and are not authorized by law.
They also submit that the notification of the Punjab government extending the summer holidays does not quote any valid reason. Under article 12 of the Punjab private educational institutions, the authority can only declare vacation in the event of an emergency such as earthquakes, floods or other natural disasters.
Petition also maintains that education is a fundamental right for children, which can in no way be refused. The court was invited to suspend the notification of the Punjab government extending the summer holidays to allow the immediate resumption of teaching activities in schools.
