SWAT: Residents have complained the Government Primary School Rahimabad No 2 in Mingora’s Rahimabad area doesn’t have a permanent building, forcing more than 900 students both boys and girls to attend classes in rented shops and garages.

They said the school, established years ago, never had a proper structure, raising concerns about the safety and learning of students.

The residents said they sent their children to school for their brighter future.

“Despite being in the heart of the city, our children studyin garages and shops in this modern century because the government has yet to provide them with a proper school building,” a schoolchild’s parent told Dawn.

Students said they had to endure extreme weather as their classes didn’t have adequate protection.

“When it rains, classroom roofs leak water forcing us to either stand or leave. In winters, it’s nearly impossible for us to stay in the classrooms, which have no doors,” said fourth grader Talha Ahmad.

Education activists noted that most families in Rahimabad were day labourers, who couldn’t afford their children’s education at privateschools, so the government school was the only option.

“With no other government primary school around, poorer families have no choice but to send their children here, while others enrol their children in private schools,” said social activist Ibrar Alam.

Teachers complained they struggled to take classes in small, cramped rooms, which limited educational activities.

They added that once there were more 1,300 students but the number had dropped to around 900 due to inadequate space and facilities.

When contacted, headmaster Abdul Latif said he had been actively seeking an alternative building to accommodate students.

“Since I took charge in 2018, I’ve been working to find a suitable place but the land is very expensive, so locals are reluctant to sell it for government use. The education department is paying monthly rent for the current space and continues searching for a more suitable facility,” he said.

Published in Dawn, November 1st, 2024