LAKKI MARWAT, June 3: The education department will initiate action against the schools failing to ensure proper utilisation of funds meant for maintenance of schools.

Sources in the department said the government had provided millions of rupees to schools for repair, demarcation of playgrounds and purchase of furniture last year. “But the amount was not utilised by many schools for unknown reasons,” they maintained.

They said district education officer Haji Taj Ali Khan had constituted a four member committee to ascertain the causes of non-utilisation of funds. They said the committee headed by deputy district education officer Haji Khalid Wahab had found that funds had not been utilised by many schools.

They said in the light of the committee report the heads of educational institutions had been strictly directed to ensure transparent utilisation of funds up to June 10.

SPORTS KIDS: The Pak army will continue its efforts to equip government schools with basic amenities.

This was stated by army’s Tajazai base camp commanding officer Lt-Col Omer while speaking at a ceremony to distribute sports kits among the teachers and students of state-run schools.

He said teachers should not let meager resources to hinder their processional work.

“It is the prime responsibility of teachers to focus on imparting quality education to students, he said, adding only teachers had the capability to enable students to meet future challenges bravely by equipping them with standard education and building their character.

“Teachers’ devotion and dedication to their professional obligations will persuade people from all walks of life to come forward and play their effective role in promotion of education”, he said.

Mr Omar also advised the students to focus on education and avoid wasting time in unnecessary activities.

OUTLAWS HELD: Police claimed to have arrested hundreds of suspected persons, including proclaimed offenders, and seized arms and drugs from them during an operation carried out across the district last month.

An official said on Monday that 348 suspects, including 89 proclaimed offenders, taken into custody. He said the operation was led by DPO Abdul Rashid. He said personnel of Elite Force and Anti-Terror Squad also took part in the action.

The police official said hideouts of criminal gangs were destroyed. He said proclaimed offenders were wanted in murder, attempt to murder, kidnapping, robbery and other cases.

He said police also eliminated dens of drug traffickers and seized 10,400 grams hashish and small quantity of heroin.

The official said seven Kalashnikovs, three kalakovs, four rifles, 33 shotguns, 31 pistols and 1,485 bullets were seized. He said cases were registered against the outlaws in the concerned police stations.