Moalims

ISLAMABAD: A committee of city officials has prepared a work plan for the relocation of private educational institutions operating in residential areas, which suggests that the federal government should ask the Supreme Court to give schools two years to shift from houses to purpose-built buildings.

The committee also suggested that the Capital Development Authority (CDA) should offer 120 plots of four kanals each, and the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) would also explore the possibility of getting 120 plots by cutting down the size of already constructed and vacant government educational institutions. These plots would be given to private schools in five year instalments.

The five-member committee comprising Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Mushtaq Ahmed, Private Educational Institution Regulatory Authority (Piera) Chairman Musaddiq A. Khan, Deputy Mayor Riffat Javed, CDA Member Planning Waseem Ahmed and Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD) Joint Secretary Dr Tariq Mouj finalised the report.

Deputy Comissioner Ahmed said the committee’s task of proposing a work plan for the relocation of private educational institutions had been completed and its recommendations sent to CADD for the final decision.

New work plan suggests 2-year grace period, asks CDA to redesignate land for educational institutions
In its report – available with Dawn – the committee proposed a complete work plan for the relocation of private schools from residential buildings.

There are 317 registered and 32 unregistered schools operating in Islamabad’s residential areas. This comes under the nonconforming use of land, which the CDA has been directed to end by the Supreme Court.

When the CDA recently asked all private schools to move out of residential areas, confusion ensued among school operators and students and their families.

Sensing the gravity of the matter, the interior minister directed the CADD ministry to form a committee to devise a work plan.

The committee has suggested that the CDA may re-plan the existing un-allotted large sites designated for educational institutions in CDA’s developed sectors.

The size of the sites should be kept around four kanals on an average. The report goes on to say that by undertaking this exercise, approximately 120 plots will be planned.

The committee also recommended no more educational institutions will be allowed in residential buildings by Piera, FDE, CDA or the Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (FBISE).

The committee proposed: “CADD in collaboration with FDE will explore the possibility of getting equal number of sites i.e around 120, for private educational institutions by cutting down the size of existing constructed and vacant government educational institutions.”

CADD shall also devise a plan for the construction of educational institutions on vacant plots already allotted to the FDE, to “overcome the shortage of educational institutions.” The committee recommended that plots or sites be re-planned in two months and auctions should be held in phases, with monthly intervals.

A senior CADD official told Dawn CADD was reviewing the committee’s recommendations and would reach a conclusion soon.

“I have read the suggestions, which seem very sound. I think there will be no major changes, however, a final decision will be taken by the minister,” he said.

Prequalification criteria

The committee has proposed strict criteria for applications and participation in allotment and auction proceedings. Schools must possess valid registration with Piera for the last two years, and must observe the rules and regulations, fee structures and policies notified by the authority.

Affiliation with FDE and FBISE for the last two years will also be a prerequisite. The period of continuous operational time for schools may be kept minimum for two years.

“The operators which have not constructed the buildings on plots already allotted by CDA shall not be allowed to apply and participate in the allotments,” read the criteria.

In addition, the school operators having minimum 200 students enrolled on the strength may be allowed to participate in the allotment/auction proceedings.

The committee also proposed that schools with less than 200 students can make a consortium to participate in an auction. It said the registration with the income tax department will be mandatory to participate in bidding, and operators of schools in litigation with the CDA regarding previous allotments cannot participate in the bidding process.

The committee proposed that the auction committee comprise representatives from CADD, ICT, Piera, CDA and the mayor.

Conditions

The allotment or lease of a school site will be non-transferable and the school will be permitted to construct three-storey buildings plus a basement with a maximum of 50pc ground coverage.

Possession will be handed over to successful applicants on the payment of 40pc of the cost, with the remaining figure payable in quarterly instalments over five years, and school operators must construct buildings within 18 months of receiving possession.

The Piera chairperson, in a separate note, proposed that any private educational institutions which unconditionally undertake to adopt or abide by ICT-Piera’s approved fee structure may be allowed to continue operating in residential premises.

Published in Dawn, April 8th, 2016