LAKKI MARWAT: The students of a Frontier Education Foundation-run girls college here on Friday blocked road in Naurang to protest its possible closure.

The students wearing veils and holding banners and placards gathered on the road and blocked it to vehicular traffic.

On the occasion, the protesters told reporters they had credible information the college would be closed over paucity of funds. “The closure or shifting of college is not acceptable to us as it will deprive hundreds of girls of the backward town of education facility,” a protesting student said, adding they would resist any such move.

“The area is already lagging behind in education and the college’s closure is a conspiracy to deprive local girls of education,” another protester said.

Local ANP leaders also joined the protest to express solidarity with the students. ANP leader Malik Ali Sarwar asked the provincial government to refrain from closing the educational institution. He said the ANP would launch an agitation drive against the government move.

Later, a police party removed the protesters from the road and got it opened to vehicular traffic.

FUNDS FOR SCHOOL: The provincial government has released over Rs80 million for provision of additional facilities in the Government College of Management Sciences, claims MPA Malik Noor Saleem Khan Marwat.

In statement issued here on Friday, he said work on the scheme would soon start after completion of tendering process. He said the educational institutions equipped with all facilities would help provide better learning environment for students.

He said the government had also approved reconstruction of a primary school building in Kherukhel Pakka and turning several high and higher secondary schools in PK-75 to model educational institutions. The lawmaker said girls primary schools would be put on solar power, adding seven solar powered water supply schemes would be installed in the area.

Published in Dawn, May 7th, 2016