Sindh School Strike Announced as Private Institutions Protest ACE Verification Drive
All private schools and colleges across Sindh will stay closed on January 9 due to a Sindh school strike. The Grand Alliance of Private Schools Associations announced the decision on Tuesday. The strike protests the ongoing verification drive by the Anti-Corruption Establishment.
Alliance leaders said they support lawful oversight. However, they oppose what they describe as excessive and intimidating actions. Therefore, they called for a one-day shutdown across the province.
Dispute Over Verification Process
The alliance announced the strike during a press conference in Karachi. Several education leaders addressed the media and outlined their concerns. They said the protest seeks the “dignified implementation” of a court order.
They referred to a December 8, 2025 verdict by the Sindh High Court’s Sukkur Bench. The ruling asked the Anti-Corruption Establishment to verify freeship lists through official records. However, alliance members claimed inspection teams now visit schools directly.
According to them, these visits exceed the court’s mandate. In addition, they said the actions violate the Sindh Private Institutions Act, 2013. Under this law, only the Directorate of Private Institutions regulates private schools.
As a result, the alliance plans to file a fresh court petition. They also announced that January 8 will be observed as a Black Day.
Concerns Raised by School Owners
Leaders expressed serious concern over armed personnel visiting schools. They said such presence creates fear among students, parents, and teachers. Female staff members, they added, feel especially stressed.
The alliance announced consultative meetings from January 6 to 8. These sessions will include parents and school administrations across Sindh. The goal is to build consensus on future steps.
They emphasized that private institutions support affordable education. Despite limited resources, they provide freeships to millions of children. Therefore, they said disruption harms already vulnerable students.
The association urged Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and Education Minister Sardar Ali Shah to intervene. They asked the government to ensure verification occurs only through the Directorate of Private Institutions. Direct school visits by anti-corruption teams, they said, should stop.
