BATKHELA, May 7: The students and teachers of Centennial Model School Batkhela are facing difficulties as the educational institution has been without electricity for the last four months.

Established in 1913 as a primary school, it was upgraded to middle level in 1954 and high level in 1959. It is the only model school in the Malakand protected area but it also lacks facilities like office of principal, examination hall, water supply and lavatories.

The students have to perform the duty of watchman at the main gate as there is no sentry in the school.

Sources said that army spent a huge amount to set up a computer laboratory at the school, but it could not be made functional owing to absence of a computer instructor.

The costly computers are lying useless and students have been deprived of getting computer education.

The students said that during the simmering heat it became difficult for them and teachers to concentrate on their studies. They said that the power transformer was out of order since February, but the authorities concerned failed to replace it.

They said that due to suspension of electricity, they could not work in the science laboratories and the costly equipments were lying unutilised. They said that the overcrowded classrooms also badly affected their studies.

The district executive officer education, Mushtaq, when contacted, said the transformer could not be repaired owing to paucity of funds.

However, he said that soon it would be repaired to provide energy facility to the school.

About the computer lab, he said that the school had no post of the computer instructor so it was not possible for the administration to take responsibly for using costly computers.