MANSEHRA: Students of the government primary school in Jabori area here are attending classes in the open amid intense cold due to along delay in reconstruction.

The five-room multi-storey building was destroyed in a fire in June last year, according to residents.

“Even one year and a half after the fire incident, both girls and boys have to study in a miserable condition without proper facilities,” Abdul Wahid Khan told reporters on Friday.

Accompanied by a group of parents, Mr Khan said that authorities completed legal formalities for the school’s reconstruction but work on it had yet to begin.

“We have raised this issue with senior officials in the education department and the tehsil administration of Baffa-Pakhal, but nothing has been done yet,” he said.

Mr Khan demanded that the reconstruction of the school be completed during the winter break, which was around the corner.

Another resident, Zahoor Khan, said the school, which catered to the educational needs of people in Jabori and its surrounding areas, was destroyed in the 2005 earthquake.

“The government, which claims significant success in educational reforms, has not even provided basic furniture to this school,” he said.

Another resident, Babu Manzoor, said that over 250 students, seven teachers and other staff members continued to suffer the consequences of the fire as the government had yet to approve funds for reconstruction.

“If the government fails to complete the reconstruction of the school during the winter vacation, we will have no choice but to hold a protest demonstration,” he warned.

WINTER EMERGENCY PLAN: The Upper Kohistan administration on Friday finalised its winter emergency plan to prevent any mishaps during snowfall in the mountainous parts of the district.

“Rescue 1122 and other relevant departments will remain on standby and vigilant to handle any emergencies arising from snowfall and rough weather conditions across the district,” deputy commissioner Tariq Ali Khan told a meeting in his office.

The meeting, attended by heads of devolved departments, police, and Rescue 1122, finalised a strategy to address any untoward incidents during the winter season.

“The link roads connecting villages to the Karakoram Highway and the district headquarters in Dasu should remain open immediately after snowfall, which has already covered most of the mountainous parts of the district,” Mr Khan said.

He also directed the heads of various departments, police, and Rescue 1122 to establish strong coordination to effectively manage weather-related emergencies.

Also, Mr Khan chaired a meeting to review the outreach efforts of polio workers in the remote areas of the district.

He said that comprehensive security arrangements had been implemented to ensure the safety of polio workers in the district.

Published in Dawn, December 21st, 2024