By Our Reporter
QUETTA: Despite Balochistan government’s decision of closing educational institutions, some private schools are still operating in suburbs of Quetta. The government had closed all educational institutions to avoid any possible spread of deadly novel corona virus in the province.
Quetta Voice has learnt through reliable sources that private schools are overtly operating in the city’s marginalized and poor neighborhoods including Pashtoonabad, Nawan Killi, Sariab Road and other areas. The kids have been asked to make sure their presence in schools.
Nazar Muhammad Bareech, one of the central office bearers of all private schools association rejected the decision of the Balochistan government to shut down private schools. “We reject the decision of the government regarding closure of educational institutions”, Mr. Bareech issued a statement to the press soon after the press conference of Balochistan education minister Sardar Yar Muhammad Rind on Thursday evening.
Mr. Rind had extended the closure of all educational institutions across the province to halt the spread of COVID-19 caused by deadly corona virus. Mr. Rind who also have the portfolio of higher education announced closure of colleges in the province.
Quetta houses thousands of private schools and a large number of kids are enrolled in these schools located in various parts of the city. However, the number of government run schools in the city is 672, which cannot meet the demands of growing population. Most of the parents rely on private schools to get their kids educated.
“We are concerned about the safety of our kids in the wake of corona virus”, Aslam Khan, a father of three kids studying in a private school in Quetta’s Eastern suburb of Pashtoonabad tells Quetta Voice. What we can do the teachers are asking the kids to be present in the class, Mr. Khan lamented.
In Balochistan, so far one corona case has been confirmed. A 12 year old boy was tested positive for the COVID-19 the other day. The boy belonged to Sindh’s Dadu district.