DADU, Oct 12: A large number of activists of political, social and religious parties took out a procession here on Tuesday in protest against the closure of 350 primary schools in the district.

They marched from the municipal park to the press club and demanded that the schools be opened and arrangements be made for thousands of children to study there. The president of the Citizen Action Committee, Mr Inayat Jamali and social workers Qaim Ali Siyal and Bashir Bhatti led the protestors.

Speaking on the occasion, they said feudal lords had occupied buildings of the schools and using these facilities as their guest houses due to indifferent attitude of government officials.

They said that inefficient officials had been appointed in the education department due to political interference. They alleged that the officials were responsible for the closure of schools as they could gobble up funds allocated for school management committees.

They appealed to the Sindh minister for education, Dr Hameeda Khuhro, to take notice of the matter and launch a probe into funds of the closed schools. Meanwhile, the district council on Tuesday demanded that an action should be taken against the education department officials for misusing funds and not paying attention to open closed schools in the district.

The session of the district council was presided over by convener Dr Zahid Hussain Jatoi. Qazi Mushtaq said the council had passed scores of resolutions against the EDO education for the misuse of the SMC funds and alleged malpractice but no action was taken against him as yet.

He demanded that the Sindh government should ensure opening of all closed schools in the district. Juman Naich said 14 water coolers were purchased for primary schools in Khairpur Nathan Shah taluka but no water cooler had been provided to any school of the taluka. Saeed Jamali, Zaffar Jatoi, Mohammad Khan Chhajro also took part in the debate.

PROTEST: A large number of members of the district council took out a procession from the district council to the DCO house on Tuesday. They were demanding development funds for the councillors elected on reserved seats and monthly honorarium.

Paryal Birhamani, Abid Lakhair, Dr Ibrahim Rind, Imamzadi Shaikh, Nusrat Abbasi and Kazbano Soho led the protestors. Speaking on the occasion, they said a huge amount was available in the head of non-development budget but the DCO was trying to use this amount for development. They said the councillor elected on reserve seats were not getting honorarium.