Rawalpindi:
With the support of the parents, the Association of Schools and Management of the All Pakistan (Appsma) on Wednesday announced its intention to challenge at the Rawalpindi Bank of the Superior Court of Lahore (LHC) the decision of the Punjab government to keep public and private schools closed until August 31.
Parents have condemned the movement of the provincial department of education to allow only classes 9 and 10 to open again, describing it as inappropriate and expressing regret that other classes remain excluded.
They said that repeated and unnoticed closures have put the future of their children at risk.
The decision to extend the summer holidays until August 31, they added, would be disputed in court. In their writing request, the petitioners argue that the extension is not justified. They point out that in other provinces, as well as in all educational institutions under the federal government, academic activities continue.
In Rawalpindi, federal government schools remain open, while under the administration of Punjab are closed, a situation that they argue is equivalent to discrimination against Punjab educational institutions and is not allowed under the law.
In addition, they affirm that the notification of the Punjab government that extends summer vacations does not quote any valid reason. According to section 12 of the Law of Private Educational Institutions of Punjab, the authority can declare vacations only in cases of emergencies such as earthquakes, floods or other natural disasters.
The petition also argues that education is a fundamental right of children, which cannot be denied under any circumstances. The court has been asked to suspend the notification of the Punjab government that extends summer vacations to allow the immediate resumption of teaching activities in schools.
