ABBOTTABAD, March 9: Students of over 80 per cent quake-affected schools in Mansehra, Balakot, Battagram, Aalai and Abbottabad are taking classes under the sky and demanded of the government to replace their damaged tents till the construction of new school buildings.

These schools reopened in March after winter vacation but there are no sitting arrangements and students are taking classes in open fields, especially in snowbound areas.

In most of the areas debris from school buildings have not been removed.

Tents provided after the October 8, 2005 earthquake have been damaged and are unable to provide protection from rain and chilly whether.

Most of the government schools had collapsed in the earthquake and temporary shelters were provided but they were not sufficient.

The Earth Quake Rehabilitation Authority has finally started awarding contracts for the construction of new school buildings.

Parents and teachers have demanded of the federal and provincial governments to make proper arrangements so that students could study in a peaceful environment.