Moalims

Friday, September 11, 2015 - The encroachment of schools’ lands or occupation of school buildings in Sindh Province is a worrying phenomenon where land mafias and other influentials do not hesitate to occupy newly built school buildings and turn them into ‘cattle ponds”, godowns, gambling dens or a traditional sitting and gossiping places called “ Otaq’.

Recent classic example of school building occupation is of Primary School Umar Bhayo, Taluka Bakrani/Dokri/in Larkano District. It is reported that the deprived and denied owner of the land had donated his precious agriculture land with this condition and the promise from the District Education office that at least two ancillary jobs such as Chowkidari or Patiwali (Peon) would be given to his family in lieu of the land when the school building would be ready and functional. The day came, the primary school building was built and the school became functional. All local teachers were appointed in the school and showed their religious devotion and dedication to equip the boys and girls with quality education.

Meanwhile, the owner of the land knocked at every door for his promised right but he was utterly disappointed and the said two low grade jobs were given to some other persons, firstly from a distant village and now from the same village.

Justice denied and helpless owner of the land, out of frustration, who is reported to have no other means of income but this piece of land which he had volunteered conditionally, is reduced to have occupied the newly built school building. This extreme act of a justice seeker - the land owner - has put the future of more than 600 boys and girls at stake.

Provincial Education Secretary is requested to honour the commitment made by the District Education office and provide menial job to the donator’s family and help vacate the illegal occupation of the school to meet the ends of justice and save the future of 600 students in the historic and fertile village of Umar Bhayo, Taluko Bakrani/ Dokri, District Larkano.

— Islamabad

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