Private Schools and Colleges Announce Province-Wide Strike in Sindh
Private schools and colleges across Sindh have announced a province-wide strike, with all institutions set to remain closed on January 9. The decision has been taken by the Grand Alliance of Private Schools Associations Sindh in protest against ongoing verification and inspection drives carried out by the Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE).
1/6/20262 min read
Reason Behind the Strike
The strike has been called in response to on-site verification visits by ACE teams to private educational institutions. These inspections are reportedly being conducted to verify records related to free-education quotas (freeship students) following court directives.
Private school associations argue that these inspections are unlawful under the Sindh Private Institutions Act, 2013, which states that only the Directorate of Private Institutions has the authority to regulate and inspect private schools and colleges. According to association leaders, the involvement of ACE directly in school inspections exceeds its legal mandate.
Concerns Raised by School Associations
School representatives have expressed serious concerns about the manner in which inspections are being conducted. They claim that the presence of ACE officials—sometimes accompanied by security personnel—has created an atmosphere of fear and anxiety within educational environments.
Association leaders state that such actions are causing psychological stress for students, teachers (particularly female staff), and parents. They emphasize that schools are not opposing accountability but are demanding that verification be carried out through proper and respectful legal channels.
Protest Schedule
The protest is not limited to a single day. According to the alliance:
January 6–8: Awareness protests and demonstrations will be held in various districts with the participation of parents and school administrations.
January 8: Private institutions will observe a symbolic “Black Day”.
January 9: A complete shutdown of private schools and colleges across Sindh will take place.
Demands of the Private Institutions
The Grand Alliance has urged the Sindh government, including the Chief Minister and Education Minister, to intervene immediately. Their key demands include:
Ending direct inspections by the Anti-Corruption Establishment
Ensuring that all verification processes are handled by the Directorate of Private Institutions
Implementing court orders in a dignified and non-disruptive manner
The alliance has also indicated that it may approach the courts again to challenge the current verification process if their concerns are not addressed.
Impact on Students and Parents
The strike is expected to impact millions of students across the province, as private schools and colleges make up a large share of Sindh’s education sector. Parents have been advised to stay in contact with school administrations for updates regarding academic schedules and any possible extensions or adjustments.
Disclaimer: This update is shared based on publicly available information. VOTG News is not responsible for any decisions made based on this news. The image is AI-generated only for illustration