LAHORE: Michael A. Thomson, principal of the renowned Aitchison College for Boys has decided to step down from his position, after the fee waiver scandal involving former Federal Minister Ahad Cheema’s sons, Eisa Ahad Cheema and Mustafa Ahad Cheema.
In a letter addressed to the Aitchison College staff, Thomson said that a “continuation of very poor governance has left me no other choice” but to resign as principal adding that during his tenure, he did his best to uphold the school’s reputation “while extending compassion to those in need”.
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Thomson said that a school is no place for politics and/or nepotism adding: “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”. He went on to say that it is “incredulous” that a school as successful as Aitchison College, could be subjected to “such unwarranted interference and brazen directives”.
Thanking the staff for their loyalty and professionalism, Thomson confirmed that he will be officially stepping down from the position of principal on the 1st of April and will not be playing any role in the management of or upcoming admissions of the institute. He added: “Together, we have reshaped Aitchison”.
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It is pertinent to mention that a scandal concerning the renowned educational institute surfaced in which former minister, Ahad Cheema’s children were pardoned from paying their tuition fees, an advantage given to them for having close ties with Prime Minister (PM), Shehbaz Sharif. According to informed sources, the tuition fees have been waived without a formal meeting of the Board of Governors (BoG) being convened or the BoG being consulted.
Governor Punjab Mian Balighur Rehman a member of the Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) issued a directive to waive the fees for Ahad Cheema’s sons, Eisa Ahad Cheema and Mustafa Ahad Cheema, on orders of the recently re-elected PM. Ahad Cheema’s wife, Saima Cheema applied for the request of a fee waiver and although multiple meetings of the BoG were held to consider the situation, no final decision had been reached. After this, Governor Punjab decided the outcome of the matter on his own without a final consultation with the BoG when neither the principal nor the Board of Governors (BoG) approved waiving the tuition fees.
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According to informed sources, the college receives about twenty fee waiver requests annually but no student is allowed this waiver, so what makes this case any different? It is also pertinent to mention that when the principal did not agree to the request on orders of the Prime Minister, Governor Punjab Balighur Rehman, issued an order waiving all the rules and regulations concerning the fees.
In this regard, On March 21, a letter was issued from the Governor Punjab Secretariat. Ghulam Hasan, Section Officer, Universities, issued a letter saying “Fee waived for Eisa Ahad Cheema and Mustafa Ahad Cheema”.
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