KARACHI, May 25: Scores of children from various schools in SITE Town Karachi and adjoining areas on Tuesday staged a protest demonstration at the Karachi Press Club (KPC) against unavailability of free textbooks.

They were carrying banners and placards inscribed with slogans against the Sindh Education Department, Sindh Textbook Board (STB) and the provincial government.

Condemning the tall and hollow claims made by the education department authorities for providing free education, uniforms, textbooks and stipends to the needy and deserving students in the province, they said students were compelled to return back from schools without taking classes due to unavailability of books.

Speaking on the occasion, general councillor and chairman Education Committee of UC Pathan Colony, SITE Town Abdul Jabbar Yousufzai said two months had passed since the start of the new academic year but so far the education department had failed to provide books to students.

"And instead of feeling embarrassed at its failure to provide free textbooks to students in the province, the Sindh government is publishing advertisements daily in the local press regarding provision of free textbooks and free education to students," he deplored.

He held Sindh Education Minister Irfanullah Marwat and Sindh Chief Minister Sardar Ali Muhammad Mahar for "destroying education" in the province. - PPI