Pushing for school: NWA tribesmen demand educational institutes be reopened

This is their second protest against the closure which parents fear will have a bad impact on grades.

MIRANSHAH:

Tribesmen from North Waziristan Agency (NWA) have requested Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Governor Shaukatullah Khan, NWA political administration and other relevant quarters to reopen education institutions. These have been closed since March 2013 after a deadly attack on Esha check post in Miranshah.

Talking to the media after a protest at Miranshah Press Club on Sunday, parents said several educational institutions, including Al-Azhar Public School, Tochi Public School, Government High School and Girls Degree College, have been kept closed for around seven months.



Concerned caregivers argued their children’s future is at risk.

“The academic year will end soon and our children have not been able to study and prepare for upcoming exams. This will ultimately negatively affect results,” said one of the parents present.

Tribesmen claimed those who could afford to, enrolled their children in other educational institutions. Those with meagre resources continue to face immense problems, they added.



Earlier in September, parents held a similar demonstration on the same issue but their demands were not fulfilled, prompting the tribesmen to come out for their cause again on Sunday.

Educational institutes were closed on March 23 when a car laden with explosives blew up at Esha check post. At least 18 security forces were killed and 40 injured in the brazen assault.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 18^th, 2013.