SWABI, Nov 19: Students of the Government College, Kotha, held a protest demonstration and blocked the Swabi-Topi road for more than two hours. They were protesting against the continued absence of their principal and the lack of teaching staff.

Students from various student bodies gathered on the college campus and marched to the Maini bus stop, where they blocked the road.

Alleging that the college’s principal had not attended the college for the past many days, they said that in his absence, the teachers were not taking any interest in their jobs.

They said teachers generally did not take classes even though many of them visited the college each day.

They said they did not want the academic calendar to be violated and the requisite curriculum should be finished on time. The students said they would no longer tolerate the absence of their principal, adding that other teachers “must also focus on imparting education”.

Criticising the college administration, the students said there were some vacancies but the officials concerned had failed to appoint teachers against them. They called for an immediate meeting with the district coordination officer so that he could assure them of timely remedial measures.

Local police officials and members of the local government assured them that steps would be taken to resolve their problems. Later, the protesters dispersed peacefully.