Between hope and fear: Security concerns at schools in K-P, FATA drive attendance down

Staff complains of not getting enough funds, being neglected by the govt.

SHABQADAR: The absence of proper security arrangements at schools across Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and the Federally Administered Tribal Area (Fata) has discouraged parents from sending their children to school.

Shabir Shah, principal of a government school in Shabqadar, said only 60% of the students had attended schools since they reopened on Monday. He also voiced concern about the absence of government support in providing security.

“The government has not provided us with funds to install CCTV cameras,” Shah said. “However, attendance is likely to improve after a few days once parents have some assurance of their children’s safety.”

Mukhtarullah, the principal of a primary school in Shabqadar, told The Express Tribune security remains a pressing concern for schools in the area. “Our school has no boundary wall or a guard to protect the premises,” he said.

According to Mukhtarullah, the school remained shut for many years after 30 schools in the area were attacked by militants.

“We did not have a guard to protect the students,” he said. “It was only recently that the school was opened after the education district officer in Charsadda promised to provide us with a watchman. However, no one has been sent to guard the school in all these years.”

Aman Sher, a local elder, who donated his land to the school, voiced reservations about the security arrangements which have been introduced.

“We try our best to ensure the children’s safety,” he said. “But there is only so much we can do. Someone will have to take responsibility if any untoward incident occurs.”

On the other hand, students are ecstatic to be back at school. Emad Ahmad, a tenth grade student at a government school, said the closure of schools after the Army Public School (APS) massacre has negatively impacted his studies.

“My exams are approaching and I have very little time to prepare,” he said. According to Emad, he is not afraid of an attack by militants and will not let such threats interfere with his education.

At risk

Security threats have posed a series of challenges for schools in Fata. A large number of schools in the tribal belt have already been destroyed by militants and students have been forced to study in makeshift schools which can be easily targeted.

“Among the 5,686 educational institutes in the tribal belt, 1,971 schools have no boundary walls,” said Rana Jabeen, Fata deputy director education.

She added local school administrations have arranged jirgas with tribal elders to ensure security for educational institutes.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 15^th, 2015.