SHANGLA: Residents of Amnavi in Alpuri tehsil here have demanded of the government to expedite work on the under-construction government high school, Amnavi, which was demolished in the aftermath of 2005 earthquake by the Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority.

They told mediapersons on Tuesday that their children enrolled at GHS Amnavi had been facing problems due to absence of building for the last several years as the contractor failed to complete the building in the scheduled time.

Aminullah, in-charge teacher at GHS Amnavi, said strength of the students had dropped to 15 from 150 due to absence of school building. He said those students who could afford education outside the district had got admissions in Swat schools.

“The building was intact after the earthquake, but Erra demolished it, assuring us it would be rebuiltin just a few months. However, construction of the school is yet to be completed after the passage of about 15 years,” he said.

The teacher said recently the government had sent furniture for the school, which they stored in the nearby houses.

Sadir, a local resident, said future of his children was at risk because of the absence of school building. He said the school was supposed to be completed in December 2019, but half of work was still remaining.

Abdul Wadood, a grade-7 student at GHS Amnavi, said they had been attending classes in the evening shift in the government primary school for a year while before that their classes were conducted under tents.

He said most of his fellows and seniors had either left education or got admission in other schools. He urged the Erra to get expeditework on reconstruction of the school so they could get education in a relaxed environment.

Published in Dawn, July 22nd, 2020