By: Rani Andaleeb
PESHAWAR: The Islami Jamiat-e-Talaba (IJT) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) has announced the launch of a “Save Education Campaign” opposing the provincial government’s decision to outsource the government schools and colleges.
The leaders of the Islami Jamiat-e-Talaba stated this while addressing a news conference at the Peshawar Press Club on Monday. They announced that as part of their campaign, protest demonstrations will be held in front of educational institutions and press clubs across the province on September 18. Additionally, a major protest will take place in front of the Peshawar Press Club on October 12, during which they will present their future course of action.
According to the Islami Jamiat-e-Talaba, preparations for outsourcing colleges are already underway following the privatisation of schools, and a proposed list of colleges has been prepared. The organisation pointed out that 4.9 million children in the province are currently out of school, while colleges and universities are facing financial and administrative crises. In this context, they believe that measures such as privatisation or outsourcing can be detrimental to education and the public.
The organisation also expressed concerns over the abolition of the Bachelor of Science (BS) program, the lack of infrastructure, buildings, and furniture in educational institutions, as well as the increase in Medical College Admissions Test (MDCAT) fees. They demand that all stakeholders be consulted before any major decisions are made and that reforms be attempted on a limited scale as pilot projects.
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Islami Jamiat-e-Talaba announced that if their demands are not met, the next phase of their protest will involve a sit-in in front of the Chief Minister’s office, the Governor’s office, and the Provincial Assembly.
