PROGRESS!!

Many of us are well aware of how the accessibility of quality education in Pakistan has become the reserve of the privileged, assuming a state of prestige, not a right. This indubitably affects the life chances of those belonging to lower social stratum. To make matters worse, exploitative measures undertaken by private institutions remain in full swing. All of which go completely unaccounted for.

Now there are certain aspects of the ongoing situation that I feel must be addressed. Since yesterday, I have been able to reach out to some of the influencers and media houses. Many teachers showed resolute courageousness by voicing up against their institutions and taking a stand for their colleagues and staff members. As we continued to pressurize the administration, the matter escalated and started to receive media coverage. Although the entire situation still seemed extensively perplexing, many of us remained steadfast against not only the merciless mafia from plundering the masses in the name of education but also hoping for negotiations to work in the favor of the laid-off employees. I think supporting what is right and standing for your ideals is something very liberating in nature as it emancipates us from many fears embedded within.

In principle, the staff laid-off should have come together (either as allies to this student-led movement) or should have at least voiced their concerns as a collective. There remained a viable gap in our case in the form of the laid-off staff not speaking up openly and collectively. Alternatively, this was also representative of the amount of fear and condescension that the staff operates under as they are not able to voice their concerns without fear of repercussions.

Due to the enormous outcry, a meeting was held amongst the Board of Directors, and the following measures were agreed to be taken:

i. All staff will be paid in full until August 1st, 2020.
ii. All custodian staff will be provided with health cards and a monthly relief package (which includes monthly food rations) from August 1st till November 1st, 2020. Children of custodian staff studying in LACAS’ not for profit school (SNT) will continue their education without any disruption.
iii. All teaching staff whose children are studying in LACAS will continue to receive concessions till the end of the calendar year and will be provided with health cards.
iv. When schools reopen, priority will be given to former staff members when re-engaging staff.

Although many of the students remain unsatisfied with the measures agreed to be taken, I view it in a rather positive light. I believe that if we collectively resist and voice dissent against oppression, change can happen! And we all have been able to achieve excellent results through our protest. This is also reflective of the amazing potential of digital technology. The affordances it provides are amazing where you can hold entire institutions accountable.

It is also imperative to establish that our agenda was never to malign the institute by seeking personal vengeance, but rather to voice up against the hideous act of injustice solely.

With that being said, our struggle goes on! We all must ensure that the
measures are duly implemented. In case, LACAS fails to comply with the measures they have promised to take, several actions will be taken by the student body as a means of resistance and dissent.

Conclusively, I cannot thank you all enough for voicing up against injustice and showing your unflinching support. We are only as strong as we are united.

- Haris Malik