GHALANAI: Students of the Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Ghalanai, on Thursday protested the closure of their educational institution for the last one month.

The protesters marched from their school to the Mohmand Press Club after passing through Ghalanai Bazaar. They complained teachers were wasting their precious time by absenting themselves from duty against denial of salary.

The students said they’re in distress as their examinations were at hand but they’re not prepared for them.

They said they shouldn’t suffer due to a dispute between teachers and the government. A girl said all government schools in the region had been closed for a month.

Social worker Jehan Zeb Mohmand, who was also in attendance, complained on one hand, the government had begun school enrolment campaign but on the other, those already enrolled there were denied education.

He demanded the immediate resumption of classes in the school.

Meanwhile, local elders of Safi and students of Ato Khel and Pandiali Hasham Kor and adjoining areas have demanded that the security forces vacate the Lakaro Degree College for resumption of classes.

The forces were deployed at the college three years ago.

Elder Haji Zar Khan Safi said most of local students went to Ghalanai for studies under the current circumstances.

Another elder, Malik Gul Shah, said peace had been restored in the area and therefore, the government should vacate the college or provide students with an alternative place for studies.

A student said the governor had declared education emergency in the tribal areas but unfortunately, his college was occupied by security forces. He demanded the governor and local political administration to step in to ensure the immediate resolution of the problem.

Published in Dawn, May 13th, 2016