Islamabad-Minister of State for Federal Education Baligh-Ur-Rehman yesterday said that Pak-Turk schools will not be closed but likely to be handed over to an INGO.
The issue of closure of Pak-Turk schools network was discussed in the meeting of Senate Committee on Interior.
The committee while taking notice of the issue has sought the report on the issue in next meeting. Chairman of the Committee Senator Rehman Malik said that government should take the schools under its own administration instead of handing it over to any private entity.
Relation with Turkey must not be damaged but the procedure of foreign aid being provided to Turkish schools should also be clear, said chairperson of the committee. An official from education ministry seeking anonymity said that schools will not be closed but it is possible that the setup will be transferred to another organization of Turkey.
Meanwhile, Amir Abdullah, President Parents Association of Pak-Turk Schools said to The Nation that the decision is not in favour of the government as the foundation running the setup is registered in accordance with the law of the country.
“Government cannot shut down 28 schools as local organization is running the schools in the country,” he said.
He said the association will not accept it and resist the decision of the government if the setup of the Pak-Turk schools is transferred to another Turkey based international non-governmental organization (NGO).
“It is similar to give ones earning to another,” he said.
He said the parents of the students enrolled in Pak-Turk schools have demanded from the government to allow the Turkish staff to remain in the country till the end of current session.
“We have asked government to extend the visas of Turkish nationals till the month of March when students will be promoted in next grades,” said Amir.
However, a teacher of Pak-Turk school informed The Nation that the administrative body of the educational setup known as Pak Turk Education Foundation (PTEF) has started convincing the local staff to accept the government’s decision. A member of the foundation, who was present in the last meeting held to discuss the issue, informed The Nation that management told the teachers and other staff that local administration will run the setup in absence of Turkish administration.
According to the official, teachers and other staff members of the schools informed the management that they will protest against the decision of handing over of this set up to any other Turkish INGO.
The official also said that Turkish staff has been given extra days till November 30 to leave the country.
“The order has been given verbally but notification has not been issued yet,” he said.
Official said the management of the schools has asked teachers to resume the academic activities for the cause of students’ future. Teachers and parents both have also expressed concerns regarding running the schools set up by Pakistani management in past.
PTEF CEO was repeatedly contacted by The Nation, but he was not available.