KARAK: The residents of Kurd Sharif, Shownaki and adjacent localities on Friday protested the shortage of teachers at the Government Middle School for Boys.

Led by former union council nazim Ikhtiar Rehman and Parent-Teacher Council chairman of the school Ahmad Nawaz, the protesters blocked a major road in the area.

Shouting slogans, they demanded the immediate appointment of teachers to the school in adequate number and upgradation of the school.

On the occasion, the speakers said the middle school, the only of its kind in the district, had many vacancies of teachers.

They complained the school had four teachers only, including those teaching students drawing, Arabic, physical education and theology.

The speakers said unfortunately, the post of secondary school teacher, who worked as headmaster, and two posts of certificate teachers had been lying vacant for four years adversely affecting the studies of children.

They said many local residents had enrolled children in Mianwali schools due to the absence of teachers in native district.

Protesters block road, call for filling of vacancies, school upgradation

The speakers said their repeated requests to the education department for the filling of school vacancies fell on deaf ears.

They demanded the appointment of teachers to the school before the start of the new academic session to the benefit of students.

The speakers also called for the upgradation of the school to the high standard.

They also demanded the early completion of work on a girl’s primary school for the start of classes in the next academic session.

The speakers warned if their demands were not met, they would protest in the district headquarters.

Later, the protesters dispersed peacefully opening the road.

PUBLIC-POLICE LIAISON: District police officer Mian Naseeb Jan on Friday called for better public-police liaison to ensure good policing and said collective efforts were needed to ensure the security of public life and property.

He was addressing the concluding session of the two-day Public Liaison Council workshop organised by the police for local government representatives and local elders here.

The DPO said the event was organised to inform the PLC members about their responsibilities.

He said the SHOs would arrange weekly meeting with the council members in their respective areas.

Mr. Jan said the PLC would inform the police about anti-social elements and criminals in their respective areas and put them in the picture about the issues, which could cause violence.

He said the PLC would not only keep a close eye on criminal activities but would also help the police eliminate their root causes.

The DPO said the council would ensure end to the misuse of loudspeakers in mosques, markets and shops and verify the documents of the people living in rented houses.

He asked the people to help the police maintain law and order in the district.

Published in Dawn, February 20th, 2016