RIYADH, 15 September — The Ministry of Education yesterday reinstated the managing committee of Pakistan International School, Riyadh (PISR), which was suspended last month for alleged irregularities.
The ministry, which found no evidence of wrongdoing by the panel in its investigation, also restored all powers and position of the elected Board of Directors (BoD) led by Dr. Shahid Malik.
The school received a formal communication yesterday afternoon, restoring the powers and position of the BoD, said Malik. He claimed that it was a “historic defeat of a group of selfish parents and others who wanted to ruin the institution for their own ends. I am happy that the Ministry of Education has given the panel a clean chit.” Shahid, however, said he will “always remain answerable to parents.”
PISR was caught in a controversy recently for alleged irregularities and charges of mismanagement levelled by a group of parents. An illegal Parents Action Committee (PAC) was also formed by some who accused the official panel of committing financial fraud.
The current BoD’s term will run out in February next year. Shahid said he will work hard during his remaining tenure to improve the academic quality of the school.
He conceded that the school’s recently announced 10th standard results were poor.
Shahid said the sudden suspension of the managing committee with no alternative arrangements in place had put a question mark on the fate of over 9,000 students at the school. Improvement of staff performance and academic environment would be his top priority. Complete renovation of the premises would also be taken up.
The BoD, he said, has initiated long-term plans to cope with the growing number of students and teachers.
Shahid claimed that the BoD had made elaborate arrangements to run the school in a single shift. At present, PISR is using 70 portacabins as classrooms. Several classrooms have not been in good shape for many years.
Mohammed Riaz Chaudhury, vice chairman of the BoD, also expressed pleasure over the ministry’s decision to restore the powers of the BoD. “This is a victory of good over evil,” he said.
He also called on the parents to work closely with the managing committee to improve the academics at the school which has been used by some parents as a political arena. Such politicization had spoiled the students and teachers alike, he said.