July 12, 2008	Saturday	Rajab 8, 1429

MANSEHRA, July 11: The local teachers have demanded early reconstruction of school buildings in the district that were damaged in the devastating earthquake on Oct 8, 2005.“If the damaged school buildings were not immediately reconstructed, the teachers will not only boycott classes, but also launch agitation against the government, and will protest in front of the Parliament House in Islamabad,” a teacher said during a meeting of the All Teachers Coordination Committee (ATCC) held here on Friday.

Speaking on the occasion, ATCC president Abdul Khaliq, secretary-general Khalid Zaman and other leaders criticised the government and the Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (Erra), saying that not a single school building had been reconstructed in Mansehra so far.

They said that it was impossible for students to get education in tent schools in extreme weather conditions. “It is a pity that despite the lapse of nearly three years, the Erra could not rebuild even a single school in Mansehra district,” a speaker claimed.

The meeting also took notice of the ‘politically-motivated’ postings and transfers of teachers and said that if the provincial government did not stop the practice, they would organise street protests. It also demanded of the provincial government to immediately fill the vacant posts of teachers to remove shortage of teaching staff at various schools.

Later, committee members held a meeting with District Coordination Officer (DCO) Israr Khan and apprised him of their problems. The DCO assured them that he would take up their problems and demands with the provincial government.

COMPENSATION: NWFP Minister for Industries Syed Ahmad Hussain Shah has said that the people affected by the recent Monsoon rain would be compensated for their losses.

Speaking to the affected families during a visit to Balakot on Friday, he assured that the provincial government would give compensation to the people for the damages they suffered due to the recent rain and flood.

Mr Shah, who was elected on PPP ticket from Balakot, also spoke at public gatherings at various places and said that the government was assessing damages caused by the rain. He also visited Hassa, Nakot and Kot Bal areas to see the damages.

He said that an amount of Rs4 million had been allocated for reconstruction of Shawal bridge and irrigation channels.