ISLAMABAD: Ignoring the directive of the Punjab government, scores of private schools in the city opened on Monday to collect fees from the students.

Under the prevailing security situation, the government has directed all private and public sector educational institutions not to reopen before January 12. However, on Monday around 40 private schools in various parts of the garrison city remained open for a few hours.

The administrators of the schools claimed that they were not aware of the extension in the winter vacation till January 12. However, after collecting monthly fees and distributing challans, the schools were closed again.

Executive District Officer (education) Qazi Zahoorul Haq recently told Dawn that all the private and public schools had been directed to take security measures and then submit a report to his of fice on January 10. A team will visit the schools to inspect the security measures and if found satisfactory will issue a certificate to the schools for the reopening. He said in case of violation, FIRs would be lodged against the owners of the schools.

Ibrar Ahmed, the president of the Private Schools Association, told Dawn: `It`s true that today over 40 private schools opened for a few hours. As soon as the matter came into our notice, we immediately directed the schools to close.

He claimed that the schools had not opened for collecting fees and distributing challans rather their owners were not `aware` of the extension in the winter vacation. Despite repeated attempts, EDO Qazi Zahoorul Haq could not be contacted for comments.