DLP Report
PESHAWAR
Islami Jamiat Talaba (IJT), student wing of Jamaat-e-Islami, on Monday launched a “Save Education Campaign” to protest the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) led provincial government’s decision to outsource government-run schools and colleges in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Addressing a news conference at the Peshawar Press Club (PPC), the Nazim of IJT KP chapter Asfandyar Izzat termed the outsourcing of government-run educational institutes as a step towards “education for sale” rather than “education for promotion” and has announced a series of protests, including a general strike on September 18 and a large-scale demonstration on October 12.
IJT completely rejected the government’s decision and warned that the privatization would exacerbate the existing educational crisis in the province, where an estimated 4.5 to 9 million children were already out of school.
Izzat, along with other IJT officials including Provincial Secretary General Muhammad Anis and Nazim Peshawar Hassan, o noted that the outsourcing of colleges and universities could cause this number to “double to triple.”
They criticized the government’s move, stating that after privatizing schools, the government was preparing to outsource government colleges, with a proposed list already prepared.
He argued that given the financial and administrative crises already plaguing educational institutions, the government’s outsourcing policy is an act of “hostility towards education and hostility towards the people.” He also highlighted that the abolition of the BS program from colleges is a particularly damaging decision that will close the doors of higher education for the middle and poor classes.
The IJT leader accused the provincial government of turning the education system into a “laboratory” for its experiments, which has led to widespread anxiety among students, teachers, and parents.
Planned Protests and Demands
In light of these concerns, the Islami Jamiat Talaba has laid out a clear plan of action. The organization has called for a general strike on September 18 to signal its strong opposition.
The main event will be a large protest on October 12, to be held in front of the PPC. This demonstration will be a collective effort, with participation from students of all colleges and universities, school students and their parents, and members of the public.
IJT demands that the government consult with all stakeholders before making any major decisions and that it first implement any reforms on a limited scale as a “pilot project.”
