Daily Times

LAHORE: Parents and teachers of PakTurk schools demanded the government and concerned authorities to save the future of their children and students, as the school had no link with any political or other party of Turkey.

In a press conference on Saturday at the PakTurk School Raiwind Road, officials of Parents Teachers Association stated that PakTurk schools had no affiliation with any political or non-government organisation of Turkey, but it was running under PakTurk Education Foundation, which was registered in Pakistan and working as per local laws.

Parents and teachers were of the view that if an organisation was solely running as per Pakistani laws, rules and regulations, then how can someone change its ownership or administration. They were of the view that such rumours and news items of handing over PakTurk schools to any other administration or organisation was putting negative impact not only on students but their teachers and parents as well.

Speaking on the occasion, Parent Teachers Association representative Saima Ilyas told media that as per information from the schools’ administration, the schools have not taken any financial assistance from Pakistani or Turkish government. “The schools are exclusively managed by a local foundation, with 1,200 Pakistani and 134 Turkish personnel,” she added.

Saima further explained that recently a number of news items have been circulating in print and electronic media, related to PakTurk schools in Pakistan that our schools would be handed over to another foundation. “We are unable to understand and accept the transfer of the schools from a local foundation to another foundation, especially when the proposed entity is one with known political affiliation. We believe that such an entity that is openly aligned with a certain school of thought will preach its own political agenda. We are also perturbed by the clear probability that in case the schools are handed over to such a controversial entity, the students will face uncalled for ideology and their emotional and intellectual health will be taxed,” she added.

These news items have been a source of extreme distress and agonizing concern to parents and teachers of the students studying in PakTurk schools, she said, adding that these educational institutes were affiliated with concerned boards and Ministry of Education, while parents believed that these educational institutes were imparting modern scientific and ethical education to their children.

On behalf of PTA, Saima further told media persons that in a complete absence of any activity or anything against the laws of Pakistan for over 21 years, it was unacceptable for us to condone any attempt of a forceful or coerced withdrawal of Turkish teachers or transfer of schools to another foundation.

She warned that any forced and abrupt withdrawal of Turkish teachers and staff is bound to adversely affect the standard of education in these schools besides having negative impact on students’ educational development. Saima said at a time when the new academic year was about to commence, “we request the government authorities, not to leave parents and students in challenging circumstances by taking any disagreeable or illegal decision about schools.”