CDA to shift private schools from residential areas.

Byline: MUHAMMAD ASAD CHAUDHRY

ISLAMABAD -- After sitting on an approved board decision for more than a year, the city managers are back on track and have announced to finalise a comprehensive policy for shifting of private schools from the residential premises with consultation of all stakeholders.

According to a press statement, in light of the directions of the Islamabad High Court (IHC), the Capital Development Authority (CDA) have finalised a comprehensive policy in this regards and an action plan to implement the same.

A special meeting on the subject is secluded in CDA on Thursday to take all concerned departments and stakeholders on board. The representatives of Federal Directorate of Education, Private Educational School Regulatory Authority (PIERA) and other concerned formations will attend the meeting.

However, the CDA board in August 2018 had already approved a set of recommendations to smoothly shift private schools from the residential premises but instead of implanting the plan, the city managers are again doing meetings to further complex the matter.

There are 367 private schools operating in residential buildings, however, the building control section of the CDA had sealed more than 50 schools last year in an operation following the directions of Supreme Court and Islamabad High Court.

A general operation against non-conforming use of residential buildings across the city has been going on since 2014. However, the civic body had showed leniency towards educational institutions and placed them in the last row because of the directions of the interior minister at that time, the Chairman CDA and due to multiple litigations.

A special committee was also formed by CDA on the directions of IHC to give an opportunity to private schools and their associations and a general meeting in this regard was also held at Jinnah Convention Centre Islamabad on 11th May 2018, which was attended by a large number of participants.

The said committee forwarded eleven-point recommendations for the consideration and final approval of the CDA board and the same had been approved accordingly except a single proposal in which the committee recommended to allow preschools in residential areas.

According to other...