APS students reluctant to return offered choice to study at cadet college

A majority of the students who are reluctant to go to APS, and are ready to make the move

PESHAWAR: Students who survived the December 16 massacre can study at cadet colleges across the country if they are reluctant to go back to Army Public School.

According to APS student Haris Raza, psychiatrists do visit the school but there are students who are reluctant to go to APS; they have been given the choice to study at cadet colleges. He said a majority are ready to make the move. “We have been given the option and a number are ready to shift.”

Raza is one of 10 students who returned from China on Thursday after a 10-day visit.

The 15-year-old student of grade nine said he missed his class fellows; most of them did not survive the carnage. Raza added he found such visits and tours were a good idea as they helped dull the impact of the horrific incident.

“Nonetheless, it is not easy to forget as most of the benches are empty. But our minds feel lighter after the China tour,” said Raza. The teenager told The Express Tribune their hosts did not discuss the APS incident during their stay in China as authorities had told them not to bring the topic up.

Over 150 persons, including 134 children, died on December 16, 2014 when armed terrorists attacked APS Peshawar. Some of the injured students are still being treated at Combined Military Hospital.