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School building rented out to tenants
Sindh Ombudsman Ajaz Ali Khan got the Government school building vacated from tenants after taking Suo Moto action on a report titled “Ebrahim Ali Bhai, Boys Government Secondary School building rented out to tenants” published on 12 January 2023, in “The Express Tribune”. The school was visited by the Consultant to Provincial Ombudsman Sindh on 24 January 2023, and it was observed that the construction of the school was completed in 2016 but the Education Department has so far failed to take over the school building despite the lapse of six years. As a result, children were being deprived of such a huge school facility with an area of 17.710 sft. because the contractor had illegally occupied the building for his private business and had even allowed his private watchmen to live with their families in the halls of the school meant for labs. He said he will vacate the school building when his liabilities will be paid.
2. During the proceedings, the Director School Education (ES&HS) and the Education Works Superintending Engineer were directed to clarify the reasons for not taking over the building. As a result the Director on 23.02.2023 submitted a report indicating that the school building has been vacated from illegal persons who were living there and now the school is functional, all the class rooms are opened, furniture has been provided and teachers engaged / busy imparting education in 06 classes while legal action has been taken against the contractor by lodging FIR at PS Gulberg Town. The school is now handed over to the Principal / Head Master.
3. The Honorable Ombudsman directed the School Education & Literacy Department Sindh (SE&LD) on 7 April 2023, to conduct an enquiry as to why the school was not take over from the contractor in 2016 and with whose permission an additional amount of Rs.18.481 million over above the approved revised cost was given to contractor. He also directed the (SE&LD) to fully operationalize the Secondary School as well as adjacent Primary School which also suffered due occupation of 3 rooms in the premises by Secondary School and submit report within 60 days.
Source: Provincial Ombudsman of Sindh, Pakistan
