LAKKI MARWAT, Nov 15: Deputy District Officer (DDO) (Primary) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Department (ESED) Haji Sanaullah Khan Begukhel on Saturday found several teachers absent from duty during a surprise visit to a number of schools.

Sources said that the visits were arranged after public circles lodged complaints that the teachers posted in the primary schools in Behramkhel and Landiwah union councils did not perform duty and remained absent from the schools.

Taking serious notice of the complaints the ESED official went to the schools and checked the attendance of teachers. He was taken aback to know that several teachers were missing from the schools without having sanctioned any casual leave from the competent authority, the sources said.

They said that the DDO expressed his anguish over the absenteeism and ordered the quarters concerned to deduct one day salary from the absent teachers. Mr Sanaullah also made it clear that negligence, slackness and absenteeism on part of the teaching staff would not be tolerated at any cost, the sources maintained.

Class-IV employees of the primary schools were also directed to mend their ways and perform their duty regularly. The ESED DDO checked the provision of free textbooks among the students in several primary schools.

ANTI-ENCROACHMENT DRIVE: On the instructions of District Coordination Officer Mohammad Anwar Khan Mehsood, the Lakki Marwat tehsil municipal administration on Saturday launched a campaign against the illegal encroachments in the city.