Aitchison College principal quits over ‘interference’ by governor

LAHORE: Michael A. Thomson, the principal of Aitchison College Lahore, on Monday resigned for what he alleged “prejudiced actions by Governor’s House”, which allegedly “contributed to a breakdown of governance and management” at the prestigious institution.

In a letter issued to the college staff, Thomson said that he would be stepping down from the principal’s post on April 1, and would not be playing any role in the management and admissions process.

“I did not intend to leave Aitchison College, but now I have 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,” said Thomson in the letter.

“However, there is a crucial difference between this pursuit and blatant policy manufacturing to accommodate certain individuals because such people simply insist on preferential treatment,” the letter said.

The letter mentioned that the college’s policy was undermined to “favour some people”, adding that there is no room for “politics and nepotism” in the college.

The principal added that over the past year, “prejudiced actions by the Governor’s House have contributed to a breakdown of governance and management.

“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. A well-intentioned foreigner does not venture to another country with less than pure intent, and nor should that person act in any way to encourage or facilitate what he considers to be wrong,” he wrote.

Thompson further added the letter from the Governor’s House “exonerates Mr and Ms Cheema from paying a tuition fee under college policy for a guaranteed place after a long leave and all future parents’ requests to a maximum of three years’ leave”.

Moreover, the principal also cancelled the admission of the students after they failed to join the school once their leaves ended. However, the governor had cancelled the principal’s order to cancel their admissions.

Later in the day, in a bid to salvage the situation, Federal Minister of Information, Ataullah Tarar, personally reached out to the embattled principal on behalf of the federal government.

TV channels, citing sources, revealed that Tarar urged Principal Thomson, to reconsider his resignation and explore avenues for an amicable resolution.

Earlier, the Governor’s House rejected resigning principal’s accusation and termed the letter based on lies. Sources in the Governor’s House say fee concession is not an exclusive favour for Ahad Cheema’s sons as it is applicable to all those students whose parents have to move to other cities under compelling circumstances.

They also revealed the principal had been facing disciplinary action since February 2024, and he had already resigned for personal reasons with effect from August this year. “The principal was receiving Rs4 million as salary and we have initiated an audit of his salary,” said the sources. He added that the principal used to have more than 100 offs a year and he adopted the tactic to avoid any inquiry.

On March 21, Punjab Governor Balighur Rehman, in his capacity as President of Board of Governors (BoG) Aitchison College, had ordered to waive the fees of sons of Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Establishment Ahad Cheema on a representation, filed by Ms Saima Ahad Cheema. Ms Saima, a civil servant, was transferred from Lahore to Islamabad in June 2022. She had sought reservation of seats and leave of absence for her minor children and had filed a representation with the principal in this regard. While her leave of absence request was accepted by the principal, she was informed that she would need to pay the complete tuition fee for both children during their absence.

Ms Saima, citing financial constraints, requested the principal to reconsider the policy, especially for cases like hers where parents have to relocate due to unforeseen circumstances, but the request was denied. In a different representation to the governor, she argued that withdrawal orders for her sons were unlawful and arbitrary, violating their rights.

In his final order, issued under Section 5(3) of the Punjab Educational Institutions (Reconstitution) Act 2021, the governor observed that the college’s management committee, despite holding numerous meetings and detailed deliberations, was unable to formulate a policy and modalities for a decision-in-principle on a given matter despite the lapse of almost two years.

The governor, in his order, also observed that imposing condition of payment of 100 per cent of tuition fee during leave of absence seemed unfair and contrary to principles of equity and propriety.

The governor also observed that he was informed that the college received approximately 20 applications per year for student leave of absence. Given the school’s student body of 3,000, granting leave of absence to this small number of students without charging a fee did not result in any significant financial loss to the institution, the order explained.

The governor accepted the representations, filed by Ms Saima for grant of leave of absence to Eisa Ahad Cheema (K4) and Mustafa Ahad Cheema (K2) with a complete fee waiver, for a period of three years, with effect from August 18, 2022, or when they rejoin the Aitchison College, Lahore, whichever is earlier.

Consequently, the withdrawal orders passed by the principal on November 14, 2022 and August 10, 2023, in cases of Eisa Ahad Cheema (K4-20243) and Mustafa Ahad Cheema (K2-220779), were respectively, set-aside ab initio.

“In addition, as a matter of policy, all applications made to the principal of the school, or the college, for grant of leave of absence to students, on account of any emergency, exigency, professional or personal commitments of either of the parents of a student shall be received, processed and granted a complete fee waiver, for a maximum period of three years,” concluded the governor’s order.

Talking to the “Jang Group and Geo News,” Principal Michael Thomson’s spokesman said: “The Principal has stated in his letter dated March 25, 2024 that he would leave on April 1 and would not be playing any role in the management of upcoming admissions. He has had a memorable tenure and does not wish to indulge in any battle of words with anybody. His only regret is that he would not be able to participate in the prestigious G30 Schools Conference, which is due to be held next month in the UK on behalf of the school. The school may hence lose its membership if nobody replaces him by then to attend the moot. Aitchison College Lahore is the only Pakistani school, among the 30 education institutions from 15 countries, which has won membership of the esteemed G-30 Schools Club where entry is granted by invitation and a vote of existing members. G-30 schools are chosen on two criteria: the reputation of the school and credentials of the school’s leader. Currently, India, United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia, China, Switzerland, Jordan, New Zealand, Romania, Turkey, Kenya and Bhutan are members of this globally-acclaimed club.”

Principal Thomson’s spokesman asserted: “We are aware hundreds of parents are due to stage a protest outside Governor’s House Lahore on Tuesday (today) to express solidarity with this illustrious Australian academician, Mr. Thomson; we have already received hundreds of mails as well, but he does not encourage any such protests while being grateful at the same time to parents and students who have admired his leadership and are of the view that he maintained and upheld high merit and discipline standards during his tenure. The Principal had actually taken the decision to hang his boots last year so there is no question of him relinquishing charge owing to any pending inquiries against him. Mr. Thomson, who joined as Principal in 2016, is serving his third term and did not seek another extension this year owing to retirement plans.”

It is also worth mentioning here that Syed Babar Ali, in his resignation from the Managing Committee and BoG of the Aitchison College on February 6, 2024, had requested the Governor and the Board to acknowledge, what he termed ‘the excellent contribution’ that Mr. Michael Thomson made during his tenure as the college principal. Syed Babar Ali had submitted his resignation citing health and advanced age. “I have had the good fortune to interact with all Principals since 1934. I can affirm that Mr. Michael Thomson has done more for the College than any other Principal in the past ninety years!,” he wrote in his resignation.

Speaking in Geo News programme Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath, Ahad Cheema said the governor had made a broader policy and nothing was wrong with it, adding that it is merely an impression that he (Ahad) is the reason behind the governor’s decision.

Cheema said the principal had indirectly approached him twice to get the issue sorted at the children’s level and not to make it a policy matter. He said he refused special treatment both times because he had a principled stand that the board should take a policy decision in this regard. He said he could name the people who had approached him on the principal’s behalf.