Two teachers for over 700 students in Bajaur school

Published December 3, 2018
Students sit on the floor in an overcrowded classroom of the school. — Dawn
Students sit on the floor in an overcrowded classroom of the school. — Dawn

KHAR: The students of government primary school in Ghakhi area of Mamond tehsil in Bajaur tribal district have complained about shortage of teachers and basic facilities in their school.

During a visit to the school the other day, the students told this correspondent that they had been facing numerous problems for last several years.

They said that overcrowding, shortage of teachers and basic facilities were the problems hampering their studies.

They pointed out that the school had over 700 students for whom there were only two teachers.

They said that the government primary school, Ghakhi, was the only state-run educational institution in the area established some 16 years ago.

Most of the students belong to hilly areas and some even cover 5km distance on foot to reach the school, as there is no other school in the region, said Usman Khan, a student. He said that there was over 160 students in his class and because of the overcrowding many of them could not hear the voice of their teacher.

The students said that they had informed the influential people of the region about the situation, but no one had so far taken notice of their problems.

“A number of students have decided to leave the school if it was not provided with facilities anytime soon,” said Akhtar Khan, a student of class 4th. He said that a few students had already left the school due to lack of facilities.

Parviz Khan, head teacher of the school, told this correspondent that they were also concerned about the situation, as only two teachers could not manage and impart proper education to 712 students.

He said that they had informed the relevant officials about the shortage of teachers in the school, but to no avail. He also expressed the fear that the situation would force a number of students to leave the school.

Published in Dawn, December 3rd, 2018

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