LAKKI MARWAT: Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Nazryati provincial deputy chief Mufti Mohammad Khan Haqqani on Saturday asked the government to review its decision to close down public sector schools having less than 50 students.

The JUI-N leader told reporters that the decision to shut down schools on the basis of low enrolment would harm the cause of education in the backward and militancy-hit province.

“On one hand, the PTI government claims to have imposed educational emergency in the province but on the other, it is making unwise decisions like closing down schools,” he said.

Mr. Haqqani said the closure of government primary, middle, high and higher secondary schools at the start of the next academic session over low enrolment rate was unacceptable.

“The government should review the decision in the larger interests of the students. Instead of closing schools, it should focus on promoting education by setting up more and more schools and addressing shortage of teachers,” he said.

The JUI-N leader said the closure of schools would deprive a large number of students of the chance to get education near homes.

“The students of closed schools won’t be able to go to faraway educational institutions,” he said.

Mr. Haqqani said the province would lag behind in the field of education if schools were closed.

“It is the prime responsibility of the government to ensure first all children are enrolled in schools, second there are adequate schools and third teachers are appointed there in sufficient numbers,” he said.

The JUI-N leader criticised lawmakers for not raising the matter on the floor of the house.

He warned that his party along with likeminded political groups would agitate if the government didn’t withdraw its decision to close down schools.

Published in Dawn January 22nd, 2017