SHANGLA: Local residents have demanded of the government to post teachers to the recently upgraded government girls high school, Dehrai Ghorband, so that SSC classes can be started as early as possible.

Local government representatives, elders and social activists told reporters here on Sunday that the female education department, Shangla, had upgraded the middle school after completion of its building.

“I have met with officers of female education department, who first told me that the school was not registered with the government and now say that it has not been approved,” Shamsur Rehman, district councillor from Dehrai, told Dawn.

He said hundreds of girls having completed 8th grade had left education, while very few of them went to Alpuri and Lilownai for continuing higher education at great expense.

The councillor said the high section of the school was well-furnished and had every facility, except the required teachers.

Javeria Bibi, who recently passed 8th grade from the school, said she wanted to continue education, but delay in start of SSC classes in the school had disappointed her.

Hashmina Gul, another student, said 72 girls were promoted from grade 8th to 9th, but their future was at stake as there were no teachers at the SSC section. “I appeal to politicians and education officials to post teachers to the high section of our school as soon as possible, so we can continue our education,” she demanded.

Lubna, the head teacher, told Dawn that some of the girls promoted to grade 9 had to go to schools in Lilownai and Alpuri because of delay in appointment of teachers at the SSC section of the school.

Najma Sohrab Khan, deputy district education officer, Shangla, when contacted, told Dawn that the posts would be sanctioned soon as they had sent a proposal to the authorities concerned.

Published in Dawn, July 29th, 2019