PESHAWAR, July 2: The Commissionerate for Afghan Refugees (CAR) has closed down 95 middle, high and higher secondary schools for refugee camps in the NWFP and tribal areas, officials said here. Director education cell of the CAR, Sameeullah Khan, also confirmed closure of all 95 schools in the refugee camps in the Frontier province and Fata. He said the closure was due to non-availability of funds. The federal ministry of frontier region was financing the education project.

The federal government had introduced Afghan curriculum in these schools while Islamic Development Fund had been giving scholarships to the students.

Mr Khan said that he had directed the concerned authorities to take stationery, furniture and school buildings in their possession.

Officials said that closure of these educational institutions would affect about 9,000 male and female students.

The authorities have laid off 875 teachers with effect from July 1.

The primary schools were being financed by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, they added.