–Faculty members are also being guilt tripped to come to empty institutes in the name of salaries
LAHORE: Despite the imminent threat of coronavirus across Punjab, many private schools in the province remained open on Saturday whereas the government had directed schools to remain closed till April 5, Pakistan Today has learnt.
Various marriage halls and cinemas were also seen flouting the order, however, the district administration sealed the halls that had done so.
According to the details, Lahore Grammar School (LGS) EME branch, Akhter Saeed College of Nursing, American Lycetuff Azmeer Town branch and KIPS College Johar Town were among the schools that did not shut down and called for selective classes to be held as per schedule.
Many educational institutions have directed faculty members to remain on duty even if students are not present.
Rukhsana Naeem, a teacher at a private school in Johar Town said, “Schools are of the opinion that since they pay us heavy amounts of salaries, we must be present there despite all odds. Our parents and family members are concerned about us but we cannot take days off from work”.
Similarly, a private university teacher Farooq Ahmed said that the university was off for students but not for faculty members. “If any faculty member catches coronavirus his or her entire family would surely suffer and I think the management should understand this fact. Despite the medical emergency in the province, despite there being no students, we are asked to come to work,” he said.
The government, however, has warned that no institute would be allowed to function before the said time.
Lahore Deputy Commissioner (DC) Danish Afzal said that strict actions would be taken against the educational institutes who violate the government’s directions. “Educational institutes have been closed by the government for both students and faculty members. No violation will be accepted in this regard. Our teams are in the city and closing all institutes that are still conducting classes,” he said.
“We have sealed Cinepax in Packages Mall and Q Cinema because they ignored orders. Similarly, our teams have sealed 36 marriage halls across the city out of which 19 were in Raiwand, four in Cantt and 13 in other parts of the city. Our teams and assistant commissioners (AC) will monitor these places at night,” he said.
The Lahore DC also revealed that his teams had appealed to the people for informing their relatives to postpone marriage ceremonies and other family gatherings.
On the other hand, a District Administration meeting was held with the management of Pearl Continental (PC) Hotel, Avari Hotel and Falettis Hotel wherein they were directed to abide by the government’s instructions by not holding any events.
It may be mentioned here that Lahore Development Authority (LDA) has closed its one window operations for the next 10 days while Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) has arranged 20 tankers of chlorine diluted water at different points in the city so that people can wash their hands.
