The recent incident of The Langland School and College, Chitral, has spurred a new controversy after the alleged corruption and malpractices by the principal, a foreign lady, Carey Schofield. The report of these allegations by a journalist, Mr Zulfiqar,created a domino effect—agitation by students and teachers, and everyone voicing against it—ultimately making it talk of the town.
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Carey Schofield has been a controversy since her appointment as principal of the school and college. Since her appointment everything related to the school’s administration has been a bone of contention between the stakeholders—parents—and the administration—principal and the self proclaimed Board of Governors.
Keeping the current situation in view there are few things which need attention.
Firstly, the involvement of Ms. Schofield in the alleged corruption. Here, the important thing is the Board of Governors itself, it’s credibility, sincerity and authority to take such decisions.
Secondly, the protest of the students and teachers who mark their protest against the unfair means practiced in the institute.
Thirdly, the intervention of the government in the current situation and its role, be it positive or negative, to resolve the issue in the best interests of the local people of Chitral.
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In the first place the role of Ms. Schofield in the recent incident is still to be investigated. Till now these are mere allegations because no proof has been provided except a cheque approved by the Board of Governors. It must be investigated whether she is personally involved in this mess or is she a puppet in the hands of others? Does she posses the authority to influence the BOG or the BOG has been influencing her? An answer to these questions can act as a lead to reach another step.
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There should be a fair and free enquiry and audit by a neutral body to uncover the allegations levied by the journalist, Mr. Zulfiqar. It shouldn’t be done by ‘a well reputed international audit firm’ rather the audit should be executed by a local, sincere and neutral body.
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As decision making body, the BOG can take any kind of decision. But, the formation of the contemporaryBOG, its TORs and the day it was established and whether the consent of the Chairman of the BOG—the Deputy Commissioner, Chitral—was taken or was it established in a luxurious drawing room by a few influential bourgeoisies of Chitral, shall be made public. If the BOG and its members does not fulfil the TORs of the BOG it shall be reconstituted with inclusion of local intelligentsia.
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Does the financial condition of the school allow the members of the BOG to use the already bankrupt account in such an extravagant manner? The account of the school, its income and expenditures need a proper audit to curb any future mismanagement.
The protest of the students and th
.e teachers doesn’t make sense to a layman like me. In spite of the fact that the teachers are paid a lucrative salary why would they protest against the school? I was wondering why the students were protesting in spite of the fact that they are getting state of the art education? Who will benefit from the removal of Carey or her presence benefits whom?
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As a Chitrali and well wisher of the school I feel that slogans like “Go Carey, Go” aren’t solution to the complex nature of the problem. No one, nor any teacher, wants the decline of the school, with the exception of an influential group who wants to take over the school by hook or by crook. The attitude of Ms. Schofield hasn’t proved, nor administratively nor academically, a success. She acts more like a colonial-master than a principal. Her attitude, the students say, is more of a dictator than an educationist or a mentor. Parents, too, are not happy with her arrogant and non-co-operative behaviour. Her arrogant behaviour and dictatorial attitude with the teachers and students hasn’t brought any positive result, rather it has created a huge chasm between school and students, and a mistrust on parts of the teachers and students.
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Despite her obnoxious behaviour, she needs time and moral support of all the stake holders. She must be dealt with carrot and stick policy. A free and fair investigation must be conducted to dig out the malpractices, and the culprits involved in corruption or patrons—lions in sheep clothing—of the‘legalised corruption’must be exposed and dealt with an iron hand. The teachers’ grievances and the problems of the students must be addressed in a proactive manner. If they have raised their voice it means that there is some serious problem and it needs to be addressed.
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It must also be kept in mind that when the Visa of Carey was rejected and a group of people, with vested interests, tried to take over the school, the same students and teachers had initiated a social media campaign—”We want Carey Back”—for her visa extension. Now, when they are chanting slogans of accountability, how can they be labelled as hooligans?
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No one is above the law and a member of the board has no right to threaten the teachers who have raised their voices against the alleged corruption. He, as sincere member, should be thankful to them if they have pointed out such ill practices, instead of being furious and threating them on social media.
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Ms. Schofield, who is not an educationist, must be given some formal training in education and ethics, even if it needs huge amount of School’s Fund. She must also be acquainted with the contemporary innovations in education. Parents-teachers meetings must also be ensured to develop a liaison between the teachers and parents and between parents and the principal.
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The BOG shall be reconstituted as per the TORsof the BOG. The role of Deputy Commissioner, Chitral, in the BOG shall bereinstated as the Chairman of the BOG, as it used to be before 2015. Local intelligentsia shall be included instead ofincluding ‘aliens’ from downtown or those indigenous people who don’t represent the common people and their interests. The last but not the least, Commissioner Malakand and Chief Secretary, KPK,must bother to find out the ground realties, establish a close liaison with their subordinate, the Deputy Commissioner, Chitral, instead of being influenced by an influential man in a drawing room meeting.
