ISLAMABAD - At a time when the Punjab Education Foundation (PEF) is reminding the partnering schools to ensure implementation of Punjab government’s directions regarding ban on corporal punishment, adoption of anti-dengue measures and security of the schools in letter and spirit, the administration of the Government Islamia High School Okara, a school running directly under the Punjab education department seems oblivious to all such directions.
Eyewitnesses told The Nation that security of the school, one of the oldest schools in Okara with 1,500 enrolled students, is at risk because the main gate of the school remains open and unwatched till late at night. There is not a single CCTV camera installed on all three gates and ground of school. Likewise, the primary section is without high walls, barbed wire and safety measures, they added. They further said that any private college or school can perform any activity for their promotion even during school timing.
The sources said that the principal also ruined the government’s slogan “Mar Nahi Pyar“ as the corporal punishment of the students is being conducted openly in the institution. They alleged that the teachers punish students on the orders of the principal.
They said that the school administration does not take any anti-dengue measures as water is seen accumulated at different sites of the schools, posing a threat of dengue for the children. Furthermore, there is no cleanliness at the school, as heaps of garbage are seen everywhere in the school. There is no clean washroom for students and they were asked to use washrooms in homes and then come to schools. They said that students and teachers of primary block can see “mating of horses” through windows that open in horse breeding stud farm. The students are forced to sweep and clean classrooms, grounds and lawns of the school, besides the bikes and cars of the teachers.
On the other hand, the sources said the principal has established four luxurious, well-furnished, air-conditioned, attached washrooms and attached kitchen offices for himself but the students have no proper drinking facility to quench their thirst in the scorching heat. The worst thing is that two of the four offices have been built after demolishing biology laboratory and teaching staff room. Now there is no biology laboratory for students in the school. Likewise, three classes sit in the school mosque in scorching sun while principal enjoys four offices.
The sources also alleged that students are forced to join Urdu medium in an English medium school. Interestingly the government of Punjab has converted all the schools into English medium and now books are not provided in Urdu. However, the students have to buy books from bazaars, which is also against the government’s policy.
When The Nation contacted the Education Officer Okara Naheed Wasif, she confirmed that she has also received complaints against the school headmaster Israr Hussain. She said she has ordered an inquiry against him. She said that the department will be in position to take action on the basis of inquiry report.
She denied the allegation of worst situation of school’s security. She said that textbooks have also been sent to the school for distribution among students. Headmaster Israr Hussain, when contacted by this correspondent, avoided to comment on allegations and just termed them baseless.