PA asks tribal elders to pitch in to increase school enrolment

Tribal elders protest against the arrest of absent teachers who pocket salaries.

JAMRUD: Around 25,000 children are out of school in Jamrud and Landikotal tehsils of Khyber Agency, according to the political administration.

Political Agent for Khyber Agency, Shahab Ali Shah, highlighted this dismal figure at a ceremony held at Jamrud Jirga Hall on Wednesday to recognise students’ academic performance after their annual examinations.

Recognising the missed opportunity for all those children of school-going ages, Shah said that tribal elders as well as the political administration needed to play a more proactive role to get them enrolled in schools.

He updated those present at the gathering on what the political administration was doing in this regard. Twenty-eight schools have been reopened in Bar Kambarkhel and Zakhakhel, while schools in Bara will be reopened soon, Shah said, adding that they were taking steps for reconstructing damaged schools in Jamrud, Landikotal and Bara.

Many schools across Khyber Agency have been closed due to militancy and the precarious security situation in general.

The political administration will distribute free books amongst students, he announced, adding that tribal elders must also step and shoulder the responsibility with the government for creating awareness about enrolling children in school.

Regarding absent teachers, who were allegedly receiving salaries, Shah said the administration will take strict action against them, adding that some have already been fired. “Many of them have been sent packing,” Shah said.

On this occasion, some tribal elders staged a protest against the recent detention of absent teachers arrested by the political administration under Section 40 of the Frontier Crimes Regulation.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 10^th, 2014.