Welcome consensus: Swat to be declared as catastrophe-hit region

Educational emergency to be imposed in district

MINGORA: Swat has been earmarked as a catastrophe-hit region and an educational emergency will be imposed in the district. This was decided at an all-parties conference (APC) held at a hotel in Mingora.

According to Alif Ailaan and Innovative Youth Forum reports, the recent earthquake affected 291 schools in Swat. Of these, 37 were completely destroyed. As a result, 66,557 students have been unable to go to school and livelihood of 2,023 teachers has been adversely affected. Participants at the conference pledged to work towards addressing the educational challenges of Swat.

It was also decided that emergency funds will be provided to rebuild damaged schools in the district and Jehanzeb College will be declared a national asset.

Trail of destruction

“Swat has 596 schools for girls and 1,038 schools for boys,” Innovative Youth Forum Chairman Dr Jawad Iqbal said. “Of the 291 schools damaged in the earthquake, 140 were girls schools and 151 were boys’ schools. Primary schools have suffered the most.”

Looking ahead

According to Iqbal, an education crisis has always loomed over the district. However, the October 30 earthquake has added fuel to the fire.

“It is essential to develop a mini-budget to cater to the needs of all students and teachers and cover all the losses incurred by the district,” Iqbal said.

He added Rs18 billion was required to revive infrastructural facilities in Swat.

According to Iqbal, “Countries are known and recognised for the marks they leave behind and Jehanzeb College is one such legacy. With the use of modern technology, the college can be enhanced.”

Concrete matters

District Education Officer Zulfikarul Mulk appreciated the fact that negative politics had reduced in Swat and more concrete problems were being given importance by the all-parties conference. He stressed all political parties must focus on developing the damaged educational institutions in the district.

MNA Musarat Ahmad Zeb pledged to highlight the issue of raising the status of Jehanzeb College in the assembly.

The conference was attended by leaders and representatives of different political parties like Swat PPP President Shamsher Ali Khan, ANP Vice President Khwaja Muhammad Khan, Jamat-e-Islami former MNA Jamila Ahmad, officers of the education department and civil society representatives.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 24^th, 2015.