BKU establishes fund for families of victims

Parents in Shabqadar reluctant to send children to school

SHABQADAR: The administration of Bacha Khan University (BKU) Charsadda has established a fund to provide financial assistance to families of students and teachers who died in the attack on January 20. It has also urged philanthropists to donate money to the cause.

According to BKU Spokesperson Saeed Khan Khalil, the fund was set up in view of the financial position of families.



Speaking to The Express Tribune, Khalil said a bank account was opened in this regard on January 28. “We strongly urge philanthropists from across the world to donate generously,” he said. “Funds will be equally distributed among the families of victims.”

The aftermath

Although the government is making efforts to ensure security at educational institutes after the BKU attack, parents in Shabqadar are reluctant to send their children to school. Shaista Islam, the principal of Government Girls Degree College Shabqadar, said many students have remained absent ever since the attack on the varsity on January 20.

The college operates from a rented building in Shabqadar Bazaar and 400 girls are taught there by 20 teachers. “We have two guards at the gate,” she said. “Two retired army officials have been hired in view of deteriorating law and order in the province. We also installed CCTV cameras and use metal detectors after the Army Public School massacre on December 16, 2014.”

She added, “Naturally, students have become hesitant after the BKU attack and many students have taken leave as they don’t feel safe at the college and are afraid.”

Absenteeism

Charsadda Institute of Technology (CIT) Shabqadar Branch Administration Officer Parvez Khan told The Express Tribune the BKU attack has triggered a wave of panic among students.

“A majority of students in all three branches of the institute have been absent throughout the week,” he said. “We cannot ask teachers and students to carry weapons. Students come here to get an education, not become warriors.”

Raheemullah, a third-year student at CIT, said his parents were not willing to send him to school. “If the situation continues, I might not be able to continue my education,” he added.

Shahabullah, also at the institute, said the January 20 attack has left his parents in shock. “In the past, they would insist I don’t miss a single day of school,” he said. “My parents used to be happy to send me to school. Now they pray for my safe return.”

Another CIT student, Iftikhar Ahmad, said when he is at university, even the slightest noise can distract him from his studies.

“Even if students are given guns, there is no guarantee they will not use it for other purposes,” he said.

According to Muhammad Aamir, his sole aim is that every member of his family get educated.  “But after BKU, my sisters are nervous about school,” he said.

Without consultation

According to insiders, these fears are not unwarranted and can be allayed if appropriate measures are taken. When contacted, Private Schools Association Shabqadar President Rahamdad Khan said Shabqadar has over 250 private and government schools. “The district administration and police have failed to contact them regarding security arrangements,” he said.

Preemptive measures: Directives issued to schools in Mardan

Mardan Region DIG Muhammad Saeed Khan Wazir has issued directives to tighten security at schools and universities in the district.

Speaking to the media, he said boundary walls of 210 schools will be raised. “Barbed wires will be installed and two security personnel each will be deployed at all schools,” he said.



According to Wazir, cases have been registered against the administration of 15 schools in Charsadda, 47 in Swabi and 12 in Nowshera for failing to provide adequate security measures. “At least 180 government and private schools in Mardan lack proper arrangements to deal with untoward situations,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 30^th,  2016.