KOHAT: About 300 students in Aslamabad area are forced to attend classes in a tent as their school has not been rebuilt even after lapse of two years, according to teachers of the school.

They said that government primary school in Aslamabad was blown up by militants two years ago. Since then the students had been attending classes in a tent, they added.

The teachers said that the tent couldn’t accommodate all 285 children.

The students soaked when it rained, they added.

About 300 students attend classes in tent

All four rooms of the school, situated near Kohat city in Shahpur Town, were destroyed in 2012 by militants. The teachers started attending classes in a tent after destruction of the school.

Both the teachers and students face great hardships in hot summer and chilly winter.

The teachers told Dawn that during last two years, they submitted several applications with education department for reconstruction of the school. Every time, they were given a ‘false’ date about starting reconstruction work on the school, they added.

The teachers said that they informed the education department recently that it had become difficult for them and the students to attend in the open. They said that they were promised that the school would be constructed during the summer vacations.

But the promise was not fulfilled, the teachers said, adding even reconstruction of the school was not included in the annual budget of Kohat district.

FUNDS: The authorities have approved Rs30 million for reconstruction and blacktopping of roads in the city that are in a dilapidated condition.

The local people said that condition of roads in the city, especially in Zagaran Bazaar, was so atrocious that even pedestrians could not walk on those let alone motorists.

They said that the roads were reconstructed during the previous government of Awami National Party that were washed away soon.

They said that funds were released for reconstruction of roads to communication and works department, which floated tenders for the schemes.

“Once again the roads will be reconstructed in winter which is strictly prohibited because the bitumen doesn’t stick to the stones and it develops ditches after a short time,” they said.

Sources said that authorities had allocated Rs10 million for blacktopping of Zargaran Bazaar Road and construction of Police Lines Road and Jarwanda Road.

Similarly, Rs20 million were allocated for the construction of a road from bypass road to Mian Garhi passing through Pehalwan Banda and Muhammadzai.

Published in Dawn, September 18th, 2014