SIALKOT: This is the Government Model Primary School, Kotla Sukhya, in Daska.

The students of this rural school ages five to 10 years have to sit in the open on these cold mornings because of the non-availability of classrooms.

“We’ve no choice as this is the only public school in the area,” said a man, whose minor son attends the school.

The ‘model’ school caters to the children of surrounding half a dozen villages too. No one knows why the school is called ‘model’ which has just one classroom for more than 100 children. The school has only two teachers who have to adopt multigrade teaching techniques.

Though the single room is insufficient to accommodate 100 children, teachers have stuffed junk and broken furniture into the room, converting it into a storeroom.

The pathetic condition of the public school has created a room for private schools in villages.

“A few years ago, more than 140 students were enrolled in the school,” said an elder of the village. “Now, the school is left with only 100 children.”

More children will end up with local private schools if the government does not come up with a plan to improve the situation.

Parents and local social, religious, educational and political circles of Daska have expressed grave concern over the lack of facilitates in the school. They said they brought the situation in to the notice of education department but to no avail.

They demanded that Chief Minister Usman Buzdar, Gujranwala Commissioner Asadullah Faiz and Sialkot Deputy Commissioner Dr Syed Bilal Haider look into the matter.

District Education Authority head Younas Warraich, however, says he is unaware of this situation.

It is high time for the chief executive officer to visit the school and take appropriate action.

PTI: Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Youth Affairs Usman Dar says the Pakistan Tehree-i-Insaf government has achieved some marvelous diplomatic successes besides promoting soft and positive image of Pakistan globally, due to which the world is focusing on Pakistan.

He told party workers at his residence that visit of UAE crown prince to Pakistan was a successful visit which has brought both Pakistan and the UAE closer to each other.

Mr Dar added that due to very positive diplomatic policies and foreign diplomacy, Pakistan was successfully establishing the strengthened diplomatic relations with all the friendly countries as well.

PTI Central Punjab President Umer Dar, Arif Ahmed Khawaja, Dr Mehboob John Piyara and Ehtesham Khalid Janjua were present.

Published in Dawn, January 10th, 2019