May 23, 2002	Thursday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 10,1423

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VEHARI, May 22: The project of community schools, started by the education authorities a few years back, is nearing end due to decline in number of students.

A survey conducted by this correspondent on Wednesday revealed some 60 schools’ buildings were given to different non-government organizations and individuals to start evening programmes.

The system was originated to accommodate those students who did not afford educational expenses in schools and those who could not get admissions in morning sessions for not getting adequate marks.

At present, there are around 10 to 15 students attending the second shift classes and the strength is reducing further due to higher fees and poor quality of education.

It is learnt that the project has failed in the district as the fees of second shift schools are higher than those charged in the morning shifts.

The owners charge Rs300 for higher secondary schooling and Rs200 for secondary schooling while they pay Rs1,500 to 2,000 to teachers.

In violation of rules, most of the people running schools have not appointed teachers. They have hired teachers working in schools in morning for Rs30 to 50 a day.

The teachers reportedly spend an hour or two in evening.

WATER RATES: The revenue department’s drive to collect water rates from small growers in the district has created panic among farmers.

Dawn learnt on Wednesday the growers had been asked to pay full charges of water, although, there was 90 per cent shortage of canal water throughout rabi crop.

Meanwhile, the department has reportedly served arrest warrants and confiscation notices to growers who have failed to pay the charges.

Reports said the irrigation water was released in the middle of November for 15 days while over 80 per cent of the wheat growers had cultivated the crop in December when canals were closed.

Growers, including Rana Tasawur Ali, Haji Tufail Warriach and Sardar Muhammad Chaudhry, claimed there was not even a drop of water supplied to them, demanding the revenue department should charge them accordingly.

Meanwhile, a growers’ organization has demanded the government should offer a relief package to farmers in the drought-hit area.

They demanded the government should write off loans up to Rs25,000 and interest up to Rs100,000.