PESHAWAR: The buildings of around 460 government schools in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s southern parts are occupied by the internally displaced persons of North Waziristan Agency though the reopening of local educational institutions after the three-month summer vacations is just a day away.

The government had accommodated tribesmen of the restive tribal agency in 1,400 government schools of Bannu, Karak and Lakki Marwat districts after the military operation against militants led to their displacement more months ago.

The reason was that schools were closed due to summer vacations.

Afterwards, most IDPs were shifted to camps. However, those occupying 460 schools, mostly in Bannu, continue to stay put.

Now when the reopening of schools is scheduled for tomorrow (Monday), vacating some buildings from IDPs has turned out to be a challenge for the relevant authorities.

Also read: IDPs in search of shelter again

However, an official of the education department insisted, “believe me we’ll get schools vacated tomorrow (Sunday).” He said educational activities in the districts would begin on Monday after summer vacations.

According to the official, the provincial government had formally informed all IDPs to vacate government schools by August 20.

Another official said officials of the education department and district administration had been visiting schools, where IDPs were accommodated, for three days to ask displaced persons to leave the premises. He said IDPs vacated around 240 schools on Friday and 120 on Saturday.

“Though it is a challenge to get 460 schools vacated in a single day, we’re making every effort to shift IDPs from there to the camp to ensure resumption of educational activities there,” he said.

About the reaction of IDPs when they’re asked to vacate schools, the official said displaced persons were gloomy as they insisted they had no proper shelter. He said the schools had facilities, including drinking water, electricity and latrine, so IDPs, mostly the poor people, were concerned about where to go.

Sources in the Provincial Disaster Management Authority said the buildings of 105 government schools would be used as shelter.

They said such schools were either under enrolment or in the final stage of the construction.

The sources said the students of under-enrolment schools would be shifted to the adjacent nearby schools to continue education.

Meanwhile, a large number of students and teachers from North Waziristan Agency on Saturday demonstrated in the capital city to demand return to the areas cleared by the army from militants.

Published in Dawn, August 31, 2014