The Supreme Court on Friday announced detailed judgement on ghost schools while declaring the appointment of Acting Executive Director (AED) of Higher Education Commission (HEC) illegal and void. The Order stated that the appointment was contrary to HEC Ordinance and the notification of said appointment was illegal and void.
The apex court also directed the government to establish Accreditation Boards in all Provinces and Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT). These Boards should be established to ensure removal of ghost schools immediately with penal action against responsible persons who had been receiving salaries and other perks without performing their duties in the education department.
Professor Dr. Gulzar A. Niazi from USA had written a letter, dated April 20, 2012, to the Chief Justice of Pakistan which pointed out to the ghost schools in the country and befall base of the case.
The apex court observed that the educational system has been facing two problems; the existence of ghost schools and absenteeism of the teachers, which should be stared at by an authority.
Reports, submitted in the apex court by session judges showed that instead of using the school premises for imparting education to the children, influential persons have forcibly occupied the same and a number of them are being used as cattle sheds, which is very unfortunate.
The Provincial Governments through the concerned authorities must ensure recovery of the possession of the schools buildings, which have been illegally occupied by influential persons, the Order stated.
If there is any litigation pending, the Registrars of the respective High Courts shall ensure the decision of the cases expeditiously, it added. Similarly, cases pending before the High Courts and Supreme Court, concerning the schools properties, shall also be disposed of expeditiously. The order was written by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry.