Pakistan High Commission shuts school in Delhi as funds dry up

Gurugram: The financial crisis in Pakistan has forced the country’s High Commission in New Delhi to shut down its in-house school in the city. The school catered exclusively to children of the staff working at the Pakistan High Commission.

The school had around 30 students and 25 of them were shifted to schools outside. One principal, six teachers and one non-teaching staff worked at the school. The High Commission has claimed that the school was being shut as there were not enough students.

However, the school staff on condition of anonymity said that their salaries were being delayed. The closure is being widely connected to the financial crisis in Pakistan.

The notice now viral on social media read: “Due to very low current enrolment, it has been decided by the competent authority to close the Pakistan High Commission School. It is, therefore, notified your services will no longer be required with effect from 30 April 2023, and your contract will thereby be terminated. As per Clause IV of your appointment letter, one month written notice is being hereby served on you.”

The spokesperson of the High Commission released a statement saying they had been facing low enrolment ever since being asked to downgrade the staff in 2020. “Upon completion of the current academic year, the activities of the Pakistan High Commission School have been suspended. There are less enrollments in view of the downgraded strength of the High Commission. New Delhi had halved the strength of the Pakistani Embassy in June 2020 from 110 to 55,” read the statement.

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