SWABI: Provincial education secretary Mutasim Billah Shah said on Friday the government was determined to bring dropouts back to school during the ongoing enrolment campaign across the province.

He met with parents in remote villages during the enrolment campaign for the new academic year, pursuing parents to enroll their children in schools. He impressed upon the parents that acquiring knowledge helped nations change their destiny.

Officials said the provincial education department was also carrying out a door-to-door campaign and reaching out to parents, urging them to put their children in schools.

The enrolment campaign will continue till July 30, they added.

“An integrated strategy has been adopted for the campaign, involving people from all walks of life. Millions of children will be enrolled in schools this year,” said Mr Mutasim Billah.

Apart from building new schools and additional class rooms in existing schools, he said, the government had also started second shifts and community schools to promote education in the province. A significant budget has been allocated for provision of these facilities, he added.

TWO DROWN: Two teenage boys drowned in a nullah in Gadoon Amazai area here on Friday.

Sherazam Jadoon, general secretary Gadoon Labour Federation, said three children of factory workers belonging to Punjab drowned while bathing with their friends in the Malikabad Badri Nullah.

He said the nullah was in medium floods due to rain in catchments. He added local divers rescued one of the teenagers.

The deceased were identified as Farhan, 14, and Jawad, 13, belonging to Sargodha district.

SUSPENDED: The headmistress and Class-IV staff of a girls high school have been suspended by provincial minister for elementary and secondary education Shahram Khan Tarakai for their failure to ensure upkeep of the institution during its closure for summer vacation.

Legal action has been initiated against the headmasters and the Class-IV staff, and an explanation has been sought from the district education officer in this regard, an official said.

Published in Dawn, July 23rd, 2022