SWAT: Several schools destroyed by militants during an insurgency in the valley have not been restored even after the end of the government operation in the area.
Bara Bandai, an area of Kabal tehsil, which was once a stronghold of the Taliban, is one such area where many girls’ schools still lie as rubble. The local defence committee has however resumed classes in the houses of the absconding militants. Mohammad Idrees, president of the defence committee, said; “We have asked the central and provincial governments again and again for the reconstruction of the girls’ schools and have waited a lot but they paid no attention, so we initiated this move, with the support of the army, to convert houses left empty by Taliban who have fled into schools.”
Idrees added that the destruction of schools has left more than 800 female students deprived of education.
Commenting on the resumption of classes, Nazrana, a student of grade four, said; “We feel good about going to schools once again. I would have been in the seventh grade if there wasn’t a break due to the destruction of my school. All the girls are very happy to see each other, we love education and we appeal to the government to rebuild our schools.” Another girl student in the school said somewhat hesitantly, “I don’t like those who want to stop our education because I want to become a doctor and serve the poor people of this area. When the Taliban were here and we were displaced, I was very disappointed with regards to studying. I am happy now that I will go back to school but the government should reconstruct schools in time.”
Published in The Express Tribune, October 8th, 2010.
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