ISLAMABAD: The Punjab government is forcing heads of schools and colleges in the province to implement security measures as soon as possible but has not provided them the extra funds they need for the task.
This has forced some college principals to ‘arrange’ funds from elsewhere, including asking staffers to pay the price of security.
The heads of educational institutes are dismayed over the situation as there is a serious dearth of funds and they are left with no option but to take all the measures on a self-help basis.
Punjab Professors and Lecturers Association (PPLA) Rawalpindi Division President Liaqat Hussain said that all colleges were instructed to take steps like constructing five foot high boundary walls, installing barbed wire and hiring guards, without the availability of funds.
The colleges do not have enough funds for all this, he said.
“In the first week after the December 16 attack, we were told by the Education Department that the government will allocate a huge amount for the purpose but now they are asking us to use the available funds,” he said.
PPLA General Secretary Tanveer Ahmad Shah said though the government has provided some funds to some colleges, the major burden is on the colleges themselves.
He added that the colleges will have to install CCTV cameras and hire security guards, and owing to a dearth of funds they are requesting ‘well-off’ people and staff members to donate for
the cause.
A Rawalpindi college principal, who requested anonymity, said that they have been instructed by the provincial Education Department to arrange two security guards for at least two months for each college as the upcoming months are more sensitive.
“We are ready to take all security measures provided we are given funds”, he said.
“The government will have to carry out proper fund allocation in order to actually address the issue,” he added.
How can you expect the implementation of directives when even the basic infrastructure is non-existent? he said.
Internews
