MANSEHRA, July 3: Unicef has launched ‘education helpline’ to facilitate students and parents in the 2005 earthquake-hit district.

The helpline, which aims at reducing the dropout rate and increasing enrolment, will also work for bridging the gap between the education department and the people of the earthquake-hit area.

To create awareness about the helpline, Unicef in collaboration with the district education department organised a seminar at the district council here on Thursday, which was participated among others by District Coordinator Officer Israr Khan, District Naib Nazim Attiqur Rehman Jahangeri, Executive District Officer (education) Syed Shah Jee, Unicef representatives Fatima Khan and Taimur Ali, and representatives of NGOs and local bodies.

The speakers appreciated the role of Unicef in education and health sectors and said the helpline would narrow down the distance between parents and the education department. They said every sort of complaints would be communicated properly to educational institutes concerned and the education department.

They stressed upon teachers to perform their duties honestly and with dedication and use all their skills while imparting education to students.

They said nowadays incidents of corporal punishment in educational institutions had increased, adding: “We warn teachers to avoid such practice, otherwise a strong movement will be lunched against such schools and teachers.”

They said political influence had destroyed education and other departments and urged the civil society to come forward for their rescue.