Daanish Schools are free education schools in the Punjab. The schools admit 110 students annually in which 10 fee-paying students can also take admission out of total 110 students and the remaining 100 are admitted on merit and are offered free of cost education. The project of these schools was started in 2010. Students study in 14 daanish schools. The school administration runs on the basis of an act uniquely established for these schools called The Daanish School Act passed by Provincial Assembly of the Punjab.
Daanish School Rahim Yar khan is spread across 115 acres. Daanish School Hasilpur is spread across 400 acres. Daanish School Chishtian has an area of 514 acres. Daanish School Dera Ghazi Khan has area of 169 acres 4 canal. Daanish School Vehari has 175 acres.
Controversies and Scam
An alleged corruption scandal surfaced in Danish school project of Rs. 172.909 million by Auditor General of Pakistan, reporting appointments without merit, induction of equipment and furniture without approved procedures to desired companies and overpayment of perks and salaries. The AGP found irregularities of Rs54.749 million in the accounts of daanish schools in Punjab. The irregularities have surged from Rs20.69 million in the previous audit year – 2015-16. The difference in irregularities equals to an increase of around 155% in just a single year. The issue was even raised in Public accounts committee, where the contract awarded to desired parties without merit was discussed at length, for example, International Desires Group, was awarded the contract of running school operations, despite quoting high rates. Besides other contracts were awarded in past to desired parties by manipulations in procedures. Due to the violation of merit in awarding construction project, several problems appeared in construction and equipment quality. For example, cracks appeared in Daanish school Attock shortly after its inauguration. It was also reported that private housing colonies were established on govt. lands acquired for the purpose of Danish School, National Accountability Bureau NAB initiated an investigation on the scam of misuse of land for housing societies.
