LARKANA, Feb 6: Members of the Dokri Taluka Council on Monday expressed concern over the quality of education in the area and called for making closed schools operational.

Convener Bashir Junejo presided over the meeting.

Imdad Joyo spoke about the poor quality of education in the taluka, especially of primary education.

He said many schools were lying closed and had been occupied by influential people. He referred to the Fakir Mohammad Junejo, Malang Brohi, Baradi Sairya schools in this regard.

Aftab Bughio, Zarina Soho and others alleged misappropriation in funds of the school management committee. They said students had not been given textbooks provided by the Sindh government for free distribution.

They said the Jogi Primary School in the town was lying closed.

Later, the assistant district officer, education, after consulting taluka nazim Shafqat Unnar, suspended the staff of the school for remaining absent from duty. Those suspended included Bashir Jamali, Izhar Mirani, Aijaz and Mumtaz Junejo.

Nabi Bakhsh Junejo, in-charge ADO, told the council that 2,400 sets of textbooks had been distributed among students. He said students’ strength was 21,599.

The members also called for effective measures for maintaining law and order in sensitive areas of the district during Muharram.

The council regretted that ambulances of the taluka hospital were out of order.