Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: There are only 22 schools out of 422 in the federal capital where the complete facilities for education are available which cater the entire Islamabad’s population of 2.5 million. Due to provision of the basic amenities, the parents have rushed towards these 22 Schools, where they put loads of recommendation letters by the high-ups of Ministry of Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD), Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) and even mayor and deputy mayors of capital territory. Due to the political pressure and sheer violation of merit, thousands of deserving and poor students are deprived of the admission in these schools. The FDE sources said that there are 422 schools that are functioning in Islamabad, where some 100,000 male students and 112,000 female students are being imparted education. Some 400 schools in in the federal capital were upgraded to model schools but these are running without basic facilities, where neither playgrounds are available nor these institutions have boundary walls. Due to these factors, 19 old model schools has great pressure of admissions as every citizen of the capital city wants that his child might get admission in these model schools especially in the sectors of F/6, I/8 and F/8. When Daily Times contacted the Federal Government School Teacher’s Association (FGSTA) President Azhar Awan said that long ago hundred of schools were upgraded to model schools in Islamabad but due to non-availability of facilities in these schools, there is a lot of difference in the structure of old and new model schools. He said that FG schools have almost 2,500 teachers deficiency and some 2,000 lower staff is less than sanctioned strength. He said that from the platform of teachers association, they tried their best and submitted several applications in CADD Ministry during last six years for releasing of funds and for more amenities for these educational institutions as compared with model schools but in vain. CADD Secretary Hassan Iqbal said that the survey of some 400 schools is underway and soon the entire educational facilities would be provided to raise the standard of education in these schools.