Nowhere to go: Dropout rate surges due to lack of facilities at primary school in Batkhela

Students, teachers walk for over an hour in mountainous terrain to reach institute

BATKHELA: Children have started dropping out of school in Charkotlai area of Batkhela, Malakand Division.

However, the ever-increasing dropout rate cannot be attributed to the fact that there is only one primary, middle and high school each in the area. On the contrary, the existing facilities at these institutes cannot accommodate the needs of students. This remains a pressing concern as there are at least 90 houses in the village with children who are keen to get an education.

Residents told The Express Tribune the primary school lacks a proper building and civic amenities. It is situated in the mountainous region of Charkotlai and does not have a proper building.

As a result, students have no option but to study in a room that was previously used as hujra. At first glance, the room seems claustrophobic as it serves as a classroom for 56 students.

Parents of schoolchildren have expressed their reservations over the arrangement. The room is made of clay and does not have basic facilities. More often than not, students try to stay away from the room as it lacks proper ventilation.

When it rains, students are forced to study under the open sky. It is difficult to get an education under these circumstances and many students have dropped out.

Long way to go

According to Abdullah, one of the teachers at the school, he has to walk up a mountain to reach the facility. The uphill trek takes one-and-a-half hours and leaves him breathless and exhausted.

A resident said most children have decided to drop out because the primary, middle and high schools are located in remote areas and it takes at least an hour to reach these areas.

Parents are reluctant to allow their daughters to walk hundreds of miles to attend school due to security reason. As a result, many of them prefer to stay home and focus on household chores.

One of the parents, requesting anonymity, said his son also dropped out of school because he was unable to focus on his studies.

“He was perpetually exhausted after walking long distances to go to school,” he said. “My son earns for the family by selling milk and collecting wood.”

Not back to school

Although locals have urged the government to take notice of the situation and provide facilities for students, little has been done so far.

Earlier, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government had vowed to launch educational projects and initiatives. However, students in Charkotlai have yet to reap benefits that would allow them to continue going to school.

According to residents, Al-Khidmat Foundation Malakand Division President Samiullah visited the primary school and installed a water cooler for students and teachers.

He also installed a water machine for locals to provide a steady supply of water for villages in the area.

As per a recent report by Alif Ailaan, 36% children enrolled in primary schools in K-P dropout. The figure is much higher for girls in the province – 43% compared to 29% for boys.

The report states there is only one teacher for 43 students at primary schools in the province.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 8^th, 2016.