SHANGLA: Delay in the reconstruction of the Government Primary School Katkor building has forced students to study under the open sky for around six years.

The building was pulled down by the Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority after it developed cracks due to the 2005 earthquake.

Around 240 students, both girls and boys, are enrolled in the school.

Teacher Dost Mohammad told Dawn that the school was established by Miangul Jehanzeb, the ruler of former Swat state, for the people of far-flung Katkor area of Chakesar tehsil.

“After the demolition of the school’s building by the Erra, the enrollments dropped. Despite our repeated correspondence with the education department, the reconstruction is progressing at a snail’s pace,” he said.

Local councillor Jamshed Khan said the school catered for the entire Katkor town with over 6,000 population. “I raised the matter in the district council several times, but to no avail,” he said.

The councillor warned the people would protest outside the Erra offices in Alpuri if the school was not rebuilt without delay. He said children currently studied in the scorching heat and thus, becoming vulnerable to health problems.

Waqar Ahmed, a fifth grader, said he would have left the school if there was any other in the area.

“Most students come to the school from remote areas on foot only because they’re interested to get education but ironically, the education department has failed to ease their misery,” he said.

Tahira Bibi, a third grader, said she and her siblings had enrolled themselves in the school as there was no school for girls in the area.

She said female members of affluent families went to a private school. “We’re vulnerable to health issues for being exposed to the inclement weather,” she said. Contractor Inamur Rehman said he had stopped work on the school over non-payment of money by the Erra.

He said he visited Alpuri Erra offices every week but the relevant officials insisted the government hadn’t provided funds yet. “When the Erra provides funds for the school’s reconstruction, I will resume work. I’m no hurdle to the work,” he said.

When contacted, MPA Dr Ibadullah Khan, who is also member of the Erra executive committee, said lack of funds was a major hurdle to the reconstruction of schools and BHUs in Shangla.

He said funds were previously provided by the Islamic Development Bank but the Erra didn’t get more funds. “I will raise the issue on the floor of the house in the next session,” he said.

Published in Dawn, June 7th, 2016