RIYADH, 15 August — The Ministry of Education has suspended the managing committee of Pakistan International School, Riyadh (PISR) led by Dr. Shahid Malik on grounds of alleged irregularities.
The sudden suspension with no alternative arrangements made to run the affairs of the school has put a question mark on the fate of over 9,000 students currently on the rolls.
A formal communication regarding the suspension of the board of directors (BOD) was received by PISR Principal Majid Hussain, said Dr. Malik.
He said he is ready to face any inquiry. "I will be rather happy, if the Ministry of Education probes the allegations leveled against the BOD," said Dr. Malik adding that he will approach the Pakistani ambassdor who is patron of PISR, to look into the matter.
Of late, PISR was in the news for gross irregularities and charges of mismanagement leveled by a group of parents. A Parents Action Committee (PAC) has accused the managing committee of
gross financial irregularities, nepotism and autocratic handling of school affairs. The angry parents have been seeking transparency in financial transactions, while alleging that the BOD has not audited its accounts since it assumed office.
The BOD’s term was to expire in February 2003. The PAC welcomed the ministry’s decision to suspend the BOD. Qazi Mohammed Ishaq Memon, PAC president, criticized the performance of the BOD, saying that the recent announcement of the PISR 10th standard board examination result is proof of poor academic performance.
Only 426 students passed out of 613 who sat the SSC exam. The result was the worst in the history of the school.
Asked about his future course of action, Dr. Malik said was concerned about the school and the students at this time of crisis. But some parents ridiculed him, saying he was shedding "crocodile tears".
Meanwhile, parents continue to be concerned over the school’s shift system that was introduced a few months ago by the BOD.
