Rs40m was the estimated cost of upgrading the six schools PHOTO: FILE
KHAR: Six middle schools for girls in different tehsils of Bajaur Agency have been upgraded to secondary schools that will now offer matric level education, Agency Education Officer Saeed Gul told journalists on Tuesday.
Talking to the media in Khar, he added the government was committed to providing all basic facilities to girls for education in tribal areas.
The upgrades, that also involve revamping school buildings in remote areas of the agency, cost an estimated Rs40 million. Girls middle schools in Raghan, Pashat, Naray Tangi, Inayat Killi, Bandagai and Sharbatai Barang will now offer secondary education instead.
Previously, students had to quit school after grade eight because there were no schools nearby that would offer further classes. However, female students will now be able to attend grades nine and 10 also.
Speaking about the initiative, Gul said the agency will reap benefits of the move and female participation in seeking employment, especially in the health and education sectors, will increase in a few years.
Gul added that since the upgrade, 808 girls have been enrolled in grade 9 and they will appear for exams under the supervision of Malakand Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education.
Prior to this initiative, there were only two secondary schools in the region, however, that number has now risen to eight, which in itself is not sufficient for the highly-populated area, but will still aid in boosting female literacy in the region, said Gul.
The official added that authorities are also busy in working on solutions to various issues, such as lack of teachers at schools in the agency.
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