KHAR: Speakers at a function here the other day said that promotion of education was vital for socio-economic development of tribal areas.

Addressing the oath taking ceremony of newly elected office-bearers of All Bajaur Private Schools Association, they urged the well-off people to make investment in education sector to improve standard of education in tribal areas. The function was attended by a large number of people including Additional Political Agent Mohammad Irfanuddin, Assistant Political Agent Mohammad Ali Khan and senior officials of the local administration and education department besides workers of various political and religious parties.

The speakers said that private schools were playing vital role in promotion of education in the agency. They said that the issues of terrorism, ignorance and poverty could be resolved through promotion of education. They called upon the government to declare ‘education emergency’ in the tribal areas.

All Bajaur Private Schools Association president Bahadar Said in his address said that private schools were playing important role in promoting of education in the agency without getting any financial support from the government.

He said that 72 private schools were operational in the agency. He said that at least 350, 00 students were studying in those schools. He said that private schools were also providing of jobs to the educated youth of the agency.

Addressing the ceremony, Additional Political Agent Irfanuddin said that despite shortage of resources, a number of steps were being taken to improve standard of education in the agency and restore trust of people in the government educational institutions.

He said that administration was making efforts to promote education in the region as education was necessary for peace and socio-economic development of the agency.

Other speakers called upon the tribal elders and well-off people to play their role in promotion of education in the tribal region. They added that well-off people should make invest in education sector by establishes private educational institutions, equipped with all modern facilities.

Published in Dawn, March 19th, 2016