The Principal of Lahore’s Aitchison College Michael A. Thompson tendered his resignation on Monday, citing “prejudiced actions by Governor House” and referring to them as “unwarranted interference and brazen directives”.
Although the letter did not specify the reason for tendering the resignation, media reports suggested the move was prompted by the Punjab Governor Balighur Rehman’s decision to waive the tuition fees for Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Ahad Cheema’s sons, Dawn News reported.
In a letter addressed to the College Staff, Michael Thompson said: “This is not how I planned to leave Aitchison but I will share with you that a continuation of very poor governance has left me no other choice. Throughout my time as Principal, I have done my very best to protect the School’s reputation while extending compassion to those in need.”
However, he said that there was a difference between this pursuit and the presence of “blatant policy manufacturing to accommodate certain individuals”, adding that “such people simply insist on preferential treatment”.
“Politics and nepotism have no place in schools,” Thompson asserted.
“Over the past year, other prejudiced actions by Governor House have contributed to a breakdown of governance and management, under which I had to finally draw a line.
“It seems incredulous to me, and quite possibly to most other people, that a school so successful can be subjected to such unwarranted interference and brazen directives,” he added.
“I leave on April 1 and will not play any role in the management of upcoming admissions,” Thompson stated.
The first full-blown scandal has erupted involving 20 days old Shahbaz Sharif Govt, and one of Pakistan’s most prestigious educational institutions, The Aitchison College in Lahore. This debacle stemmed from the actions of Governor Punjab, Beligh ur Rahman, who coerced the… pic.twitter.com/u3JHbTJXAZ
— Kamran Khan (@AajKamranKhan) March 25, 2024
Rejoinder from Ahad Cheema:
I have read the comments and would exercise my right to defend my honour and my children’s.
Brief facts are:
I was transferred to the federal government in June 2022. I applied for break for of two kids from Aitchison College. The Principal made it conditional with payment of full fee.
I applied to Principal and then Governor to make a policy decision regarding students asking for long leave, as payment of fee at two schools was burdensome.
The Governor referred the matter to the Board of Governors (BOG). The BOG approved the policy of long leave without fee and asked management to finalise modalities
The Principal refused to comply with the BOG direction and did not finalise policy. Behind the scene, Principal approached us and offered individual relief if she doesn’t press policy matter
Further, principal struck off name of one child and gave notice for the other
I again applied to the Governor for implementation of board decision. Governor restrained the principal from taking any adverse action.
The Principal defied the Governor’s order and terminated the admission of second child as well.
Again I made an application to Governor citing principal’s complete disobedience to Board and well as Governor’s instructions.
The Governor called for the record of the case under the law, to which principal openly refused.
When he saw that this would lead to action against him, he provided the record after about two and a half months.
The Governor proceeded to decide the matter as a policy for all students, and not specific to applicants since the BoD couldn’t finalise it in two years.
In any case, the Principal’s term was coming to an end, and he had intimated of his plan to leave. Search committee had been formed to find a new Principal.
