By: Kashif Shamim Siddiqui
Karachi, September 3 —Around 250 students of Little Star School in Saddar Town, located behind Mama Parsi School, staged a peaceful yet powerful protest this morning along with their teachers against the unsanitary and hazardous conditions outside their school gate.
The rear entrance of the school, situated near the site of the former Rivoli Cinema, has been encroached upon by groups dumping large sacks of garbage. Stagnant sewage water continuously flows in the area, while an abandoned car and a rickshaw have blocked the passage for weeks, making it extremely difficult for students to enter their school.
Children, teachers, and residents complained that the situation has created a breeding ground for mosquitoes, raising the risk of dengue and seasonal fevers. “Our children are being bitten by mosquitoes every day. This is a danger to their health and future,” said one of the parents who joined the demonstration.
The protesters also highlighted that a women’s hostel and several residential flats are located nearby, and residents have been suffering due to the stench and unhygienic conditions. The school, which has been serving the area since the 1970s, is struggling to maintain a safe and conducive environment for education amid worsening municipal services over the past two years.
The School management, together with Zahid Farooq of Urban Resource Centre (URC), contacted Tariq Nizami, Managing Director of the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board (SSWMB), requesting urgent intervention. Responding to the appeal, Tariq Nizami immediately dispatched a cleaning team to the site, and cleaning work was initiated today.
However, residents, parents, and school staff emphasized that temporary cleanup is not enough. They demanded permanent removal of garbage bags, clearance of encroachments, shifting of the dustbin away from the school gate, and sustained sanitation efforts to ensure that children can safely access their classrooms.
“The children are our future. Their protection and education should not be compromised by garbage dumps and sewage water,” said Zahid Farooq of URC, urging the city authorities, including Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab, to take swift and lasting measures.