Bhakkar schools no longer left out in the open

Sheikhanwala Government Primary School given building after more than 50 years

BHAKKAR:  

A month-and-a-half after The Express Tribune published a story about the non-existent buildings for Bhakkar government schools, Sheikhanwala Government Primary School has finally been given its own designated space.

In January, it was reported that Sheikhanwala Government Primary School and Khan Khuda Baksh Government Primary School had not been given their own buildings despite a passage of more than 50 years. As a result, the schools were being run in rented buildings while the money for paying the rent was being provided by the instructors.

After the story was published, Bhakkar Deputy Commissioner Waqas Rasheed sought a report on the matter from the education department. He ordered that Sheikhanwala Government Primary School be shifted to the library of the building, which was formerly the Darya Khan Government Boys Degree College.

Speaking to Express News, Darya Khan Assistant Commissioner Asad Chandia stated that a building has been given to Sheikhanwala Government Primary School. “Whichever facilities are still lacking will be provided through funds,” he maintained.

‘The school was run in a rented building for many years prior to this. After taking this step, we have also witnessed a surge in attendance,” he revealed. The assistant commissioner added that Khan Khuda Baksh Government Primary School, which is also currently operating in a rented building, will soon be provided with its own space.

Officials from the education department added that the previous building was private property which created a lot of issues for the administration and the students. The building did not have any washrooms and we could not use government funds to construct new restrooms as it was private property, said District Education Deputy Rehana and Assistant Education Officer Aqsa Maheen.

The new building for the school is in good condition. Moreover, it is close to the previous location which means that students do not have to travel too far to receive en education, they stated.

Meanwhile, resident have lauded the efforts of education department. Earlier, students were compelled to study under the open sky which was very difficult for the teachers as well as for the students, they said.

The school was established in 1965. Since then, it is being operated in different locations, they expressed. We would avoid enrolling our children at the school as it would have to be shifted to a new location soon after its lease would be up, they said. They also appealed to officials to provide a space for Khan Khuda Baksh Government Primary School.

However, those most excited to hear the news are the students. Mohammad Haseeb, a student at the school, stated that he is unable to express his joy at the fact that they will now have proper, physical classrooms to study in.

“Sometimes we would have to study under an open sky, regardless of the weather,” he recounted. Further, the new building also has ample space for us to play, he added.