Sans facilities: Girls schools in Swabi effaced by neglect

Two government high schools in Yar Hussain lack faculty members, basic facilities

PESHAWAR: There is a dearth of faculty members and facilities at Government Girls High School (GGHS) No 1 and 2 in Yar Hussain, Swabi. A large number of locals have been distressed by the sorry state of affairs. They have pressed the provincial government to address the situation and secure a bright future for girls in one of the largest towns of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

GGHS No 1 is one of the oldest schools in the region. It was established in 1950 and there are currently 1,300 students enrolled at the institute. Over the last five years, the school has been weighed down by considerable pressure as there is no principal to oversee the day-to-day operations of the school. The institute also lacks a whole range of facilities that could foster a suitable environment for learning.

On October 26, 2015, another crisis loomed over the institute and threatened to shake its already weak foundations. An earthquake ripped through the region and damaged the school building. The sheer magnitude of the devastation is written all over its walls. Cracks have emerged on the whitewashed walls and the paint is started to peel off. However, residents told The Express Tribune over the telephone that the relevant authorities have failed to take interest in the matter.

Muhammad Israr, an elder and social worker in Yar Hussain, said GGHS No 1’s school principal retired in 2010. “The school has been running without a permanent head since then,” he said. “Moreover, the earthquake has left the school damaged. It can collapse at any time and cause casualties.”

According to Israr, the school has only two bathrooms for 1,300 students.

“Water is not readily available at the school,” he said. “As a result, many students bring water from their homes.”

Israr urged the provincial government to provide facilities at the school.

Impediments to learning

GGHS No 2, another school in Yar Hussain, gives 147 students an opportunity to learn and brighten their prospects. However, the absence of science teachers is likely to impede this process of learning. The principal has requested the relevant authorities to allow students to shift to other schools.

An application has been sent to the Swabi DEO (Female). According to the application, a copy of which is available with The Express Tribune, the principal has asked the DEO to give her authority to issue certificates to the students, even though they have not be taught properly at the institute. The request has been made to allow students to seek admission elsewhere.

“All science students at the school failed the SSC examinations in 2015 due to the absence of teachers,” a member of Parent-Teacher Council (PTC) told The Express Tribune. “Almost all schools in Swabi lack teachers while the relevant authorities have not taken notice of this issue.”

Limited funds

According to the member, PTCs have limited funds and cannot bear the financial burden of addressing these problems.

“Many schools lack bathrooms and are facing a severe water crisis,” he said. “PTCs doesn’t have funds to finance these ventures.”

He urged the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-led provincial government to increase funds for PTCs and enhance their powers so they can deal with these matters in an effective manner.

Official narrative

K-P Elementary and Secondary Education Department Additional Secretary Qaiser Alam Khan told The Express Tribune they have appointed around 25,000 teachers across the province and placed advertisements for vacancies in 15,000 posts for teachers.

“In the past, emphasis was not given to hiring teachers,” he said. “This was why there was a shortage of teachers at schools. Hiring 3,000 teachers through the National Testing Service will resolve the issue and enhance the quality of education.”

Published in The Express Tribune, September 13^th, 2016.