83 flood-hit schools reconstructed

Another 27 schools still under construction in nine districts of K-P

PESHAWAR:

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA-PaRRSA) has reconstructed 83 flood-affected schools while work on 27 others has been in progress in nine districts of the province.

The media cell of PDMA said the new school buildings were designed keeping in view all the precautionary and safety measures against earthquakes and requirements for disabled persons.

In this connection, a project steering committee meeting was held under the chairmanship of Director General PDMA Sharif Hussain to review progress on the K-P Reconstruction Programme.

The forum was briefed on overall ongoing progress and was informed that the provision of facilities and work completed to date was 202 out of 229 schools.

Besides 13 healthcare facilities, equipment supplied to 49 health facilities, 56 drinking water schemes, two irrigation headworks, two bridges, two roads and burn and trauma centres at Hayatabad were completed by USAID funds under KPRP.

It was further revealed that work on the establishment of eight satellite stations for ERS 1122 was underway on major highways and motorways of the province.

USAID has also shown satisfaction on both the physical and financial progress which was almost 93 per cent.

It was noted that the program would be completed within the timelines. PDMA has recently reconstructed 52 schools in Malakand Division including 28 schools in Swat, six in Lower Dir, eight in Upper Dir, five in Malakand, five in Shangla district while 31 schools in other districts were completed including 18 in Nowshera, five in Charsadda, two in Peshawar and six in DI Khan district.

The standard buildings of schools with facilities would help boost the education ratio, as more and more students were being enrolled in these schools.

“These newly reconstructed schools are well equipped with modern facilities as required for an institution including boundary walls, furniture, power supply and best-designed buildings. Ramps and separate toilets for special children have also been provided in these schools. The newly reconstructed buildings would provide the best learning atmosphere to students,” said an official.

PDMA-PaRRSA has also successfully rehabilitated and reconstructed 56 water supply schemes including water storage tanks, hand pumps and drinking water supply systems in the remote and far-flung areas of district Buner and Swat, benefiting around 124,355 people.

The authority has also completed 23 drinking water supply schemes in district Buner and handed over to the Line Department under KPRP while 33 water supply schemes have been completed in district Swat.

According to details, about 82,341 persons of 11,763 households were benefiting in district Swat while in district Buner, 42,014 persons of 6002 households were benefiting from these schemes.