Nisma Rafiq

Saudi Gazette

 

JEDDAH —  Pakistan International School Jeddah in Al Azizia received a notice from the Ministry of Education last year soon after the lease ended to evacuate the building. Currently, negotiations are underway to overturn the government’s decision of not renewing the lease of the school. The news has created tension and panic among students and parents alike.



Established in 1959, Pakistan International School Al Azizia currently accommodates more than 10,000 students.



It is one of the largest community-based school which boasts of state-of-the-art infrastructure.



Earlier, the school was located in Al-Baghdadiya district but as the number of students grew it shifted to Al-Aziziya. 



The school has served the need of the Pakistani community’s children for almost half a century, and has achieved remarkable results and laurels. The graduates of the school are working in various fields not only in the Kingdom but even in their home country and abroad.



The school has always aimed toward providing excellent educational experience and opportunities to students to showcase their talents while making them a productive member of the society.



Rahat Saleem, an alumnus of school who currently tutors several students of the school, was outraged when she heard the news. “Thousand of children study at PISJ. Their future is at stake. I would like to urge the Pakistani and Saudi governments to take immediate steps to resolve the issue for the sake of our children’s future.” Both current and former students are alarmed over the school’s precarious situation.



“I have an aversion over the school’s relocation as I feel that one of the adorned educational hub which has been an erudite source for the Pakistani community in the city will no longer be there to promote cultural, educational, political and social ties, both within and outside the community,” said another alumni Hanan Asghar.



He added: “To be honest I was enchanted to a great extent when I heard about the eviction and the possible relocation to Rehab’s building. I believe both schools are the two sides of the same coin. The authorities or diplomats get to toss, and regardless of getting a head or a tail, education and intellectual growth of thousands of students will suffer. I don’t foresee a win-win solution and hope to see a positive move in negotiation. I have an emotional connection with both of the schools, and I want both to impart quality education and instill the cultural and traditional values to generation(s).”



A concerned mother of three children studying at PISJ said: “It is not good news. I wish the Saudi Government would extend the lease for the sake of our kids. I studied at PISJ and I want my kids to study within those creative walls. It is not just a building; it is developmental institution where every facet of personality is polished and million memories reside.”



Saadiya Nawaz, an alumnus and a teacher at PISJ in Al-Rehab, said: “Saudi Government should give PISJ more time. Situation back home is not suitable. I request Saudi government to understand and Pakistani government to come forward on this matter.”



Mohammad Saif, a student, is not happy with the idea of moving to another school like many others.



Mohammad Talal and his parents moved to Al-Azizia district only because of the school. “I hope the negotiations succeed and we don’t have to shift anywhere else,” said Talal’s father.



“I think the decision of the Saudi authorities to reacquire the land where the oldest and pioneering teaching institute of the Pakistani community stands is sad,” a former faculty member said.



The faculty member added: “PISJ being the sole representative of the community and it’s education under the auspices of Federal Board Islamabad has become the mother institute of thousands of successful Pakistani professionals around the world. Relocating such an institution no matter what the reason may be would result not just in considerably affecting the education of thousands of Pakistani students currently enrolled, but also dismantling the whole Pakistani community altogether.”



“I think genuine negotiations on the basis of old and strong fraternal relations of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia will help bear fruitful results,” she added. 



Another alumnus Dr. Fatima said: “Students are teachers will have to suffer. Pakistani Government must come into action and negotiate with the local government. We have strong ties with Saudi Arabia as a country, and I hope they will do the right thing. If it happens, education will no longer be affordable and majority of Pakistani families will be affected from this eviction, one way or the other. I have been in PISJ and I want my young ones to step there and feel me there.”



The school administration is hopeful that the ministry will extend the lease, and if not then the school will shift to PISJ in Al-Rehab.