MANSEHRA: A group of parents on Friday announced that they would move the court of law against changes to matriculation examination system.

“The government declared the ninth grade examination mandatory and when the students prepared themselves for it, the eighth grade examination was declared compulsory. Such moves will adversely impact the cause of education,” Munir Ahmad Khan, father of an eighth grader, told reporters in Balakot area.

Accompanied by other parents, Mr Munir said since Chief Minister Mahmood Khan had assumed the office, the education policies were inconsistent.

“We want the education boards to conduct the examination for 10th grade only,” he said.

The man said it was ironic that students had prepared for the ninth grade examination for almost eight months but the government made the eighth grade examination mandatory.

“I recently took up this issue with the assistant commissioner of Balakot, who promised his support. If the changes to matriculation examination system aren’t withdrawn, we will move the court for relief,” he said.

SOFT LOANS: MPA Ahmad Hussain Shah on Friday claimed that Rs200 million worth of soft loans had been given away to the residents of Balakot under the Ehsas Programme.

Mr Shah told a function in Balakot area that the government was striving to provide the opportunities of employment and small and medium businesses to the earthquake-surviving families of Balakot.

He asked the loan recipients to use the money for the purposes it was released.

STRAY DOG CULL: The health department in collaboration with the tehsil municipal administration on Thursday launched a two-day campaign in Balakot area to cull stray dogs following an increase in dog bite incidence.

“Dozens of people, including women and children, were bitten by stray dogs in Balakot and adjoining areas in recent weeks, so the culling of stray dogs has been planned through this drive,” TMA sanitation officer Mohammad Jaffar told reporters.

The official said teams consisting of both health department and TMA officials would visit Lari Adda, Mangli Garlat, Narah, Hassan, Bisian, Shahwal Mazullah, Kot-Balla and Garhi Habibullah areas to cull stray dogs.

FISHERMEN HELD: The fishery department on Thursday arrested two fishermen for using electric current in the Siren River in Dadar area of Siren valley.

An electric generator, captured fishes, and fishing tools were also seized.

The arrests of Abdullah Khan and Mohammad Hussain were made by a team led by inspector of the fishery department in Hazara division Sadia Khan.

The inspector said permits allowed fishing by rod only.

Published in Dawn, October 19th, 2019