Militants demolished the building but could not kill their quest for knowledge

Government High School Dherai students continue to pursue their studies despite all odds.

SWAT: Along the main road leading to Tehsil Matta, the Government High School (GHS) Dherai is one of the hundreds of schools that were constructed by the late Wali of Swat.

The two-storey building of GHS Dherai, which was once a famous school of Tehsil Kabal, was particularly known for some of its football players and volleyball players in Swat.

All this changed with the arrival of militancy in the area, when the writ of the government in Swat Valley was challenged by the Taliban, leading to the destruction of more than 400 schools.

A ban was imposed on the education of girls on the pretext of it being un-Islamic.

GHS Dheria was blown up by the militants shortly after they took over the region. The demolition of this school, however, was considered more significant than others because Tehrik-e-Taliban Swat chapter’s chief Mullah Fazlullah, spokesman Muslim Khan, Commander Sirajuddin and many other members received their early education from this very school.

The school which once had 22 classrooms including computer labs, science labs and libraries, now consists of just a few tents where 450 students sitting on the hard floor get their education.

Regarding the destruction of the school, Mohammad Bacha, principal of the school, told The Express Tribune that when the government lost its power in the region and militancy prevailed, the school was the first thing the Taliban destroyed in February 2009.

Everything else like furniture, equipment, bricks and even debris and scrap iron were taken by them, he said.

“At that time we had up to 600 students enrolled. Presently we have 430 students on record,” he added.

About the present condition of the tents he said, “Last year the condition of the tents deteriorated severely after the snowfall but all the teachers collectively mended the tents.”

Regarding hurdles in the teaching process he said, “Whenever it rains, water comes into a majority of the tents so in such conditions we send the students home which affects their studies, plus there is no boundary wall around the school so cows, dogs, donkeys and cats stroll in and out disturbing the children.”

This school is in urgent need of a boundary wall. Secondly new tents or some pre-fabricated structures need to be provided because the present tents have been worn out, and thirdly, they have problems in accessing clean drinking water so a water supply scheme is needed urgently.

GHS Dheria has educated a lot of local people who are now leading successful lives in and out of the country. Roohul Ameen, one of the teachers who studied from this school, told The Express Tribune, “When the militants destroyed this school, it was a strange feeling, it was like someone was destroying our own house, not only students of this school but the whole area was sad.”

Bashir Ahmad, another teacher of the school, said, “During those hard times we did not stop teaching here even though the militants considered us as their enemies because we were government servants and often threatened us.”

Talking about the tragic incident leading to the martyrdom of one of the teachers he said, “Qari Samiullah, one of our friends, who was teaching theology here, stood up against them so the militants killed him. His body was riddled with 120 rounds, but unfortunately neither the government of Pakistan nor the civil government extended any assistance to that teacher and no support was given to his family.”

Regarding the difficulties, Sultan Ali, a student, told The Express Tribune, “I study in class ten and it is important to have a science lab but we have nowhere to practice for the science practicals, then what will we do in the examination?”

Hundreds of schools have turned into rubble since 2007. The writ of the government was restored in July 2009, but since then no tangible planning in this regard can be seen from the government’s side.

According to an official report, USAID has already provided 20 million dollars for the reconstruction of 108 schools in the Malakand Division, while according to the Education Department Malakand Division, tenders for 88 schools have been issued, while work order for 44 out of these 88 have also been issued and construction work on these schools will be started soon.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 2^nd, 2010.