LOWER DIR: The education department kicked off a school enrolment drive by arranging awareness walks here on Tuesday.

District education officer Mahboob Ilahi, assistant sub-divisional education officers, parents, students and elders participated in the events.

Over 120,000 students, including 74,000 girls, according to a survey, are out of school in Lower Dir.

DEO Ilahi led an awareness walk in Timergara attended by schoolteachers, students and members of civil society.

On the occasion, Mr Ilahi urged parents and elders to play their active role in making the enrolment drive a success. He said students in public sector schools were being provided with free textbooks, uniforms and scholarships.

The education department and National Commission for Human Development (NCHD) held an awareness walk in Chakdara.

Additional assistant commissioner, Adenzai, Syed Sardar Badshah, sub-divisional education officer Zaheeruddin, NCHD assistant director Mohammad Asad Khan, teachers and students participated in the walk.

Carrying banners and placards, the participants walked through the Chakdara Bazaar and gathered in front of the press club.

Mr Badshah, Zaheeruddin and Mr Asad asked parents to get their children enrolled.

The speakers highlighted the importance of education and said no

nation could develop without quality education.

They said the government was providing free textbooks, qualified teachers and furniture at public sector schools, therefore parents should get their children enrolled there.

CRICKET TOURNAMENT: The district administration in collaboration with the youth affairs’ department on Tuesday inaugurated the first ‘Insaf Youth Cricket League’ tournament in Rani area here on Tuesday.

Deputy commissioner Wasil Khan, MPA Azam Khan and district youth officer Malak Shehzad Tariq inaugurated the event during a colourful function.

According to the organisers, a total of eight cricket clubs are participating in the event.

The players were also introduced to the guests.

On the occasion, Wasil Khan said youth had great potential in sports. He said cricketing stars Naseem Shah and Imran Khan Senior represented the national team that showed that the youth of Dir had enough potential in the game.

PTI lawmaker Azam Khan appreciated the administration for arranging the event and said the provincial government would fully support it in promoting sports, tourism and education.

Published in Dawn, April 24th, 2024