MANSEHRA, Jan 16: Alauddin Khan, Nazim of union council Shaukatabad in the lower Pakhal area of Mansehra tehsil, has alleged irregularities in the district education department.

He told newsmen that the officials of the education department had colluded with teachers who were absent from duty and were still getting paid.

He said that this practice had been going on in the education office for quite sometimes, mostly where women teachers were involved.

Quoting an example, he said that a woman teacher of government primary school Chirya got married in December 2001 and had gone abroad with her husband without applying for leave.

The Nazim said that in spite of being in full knowledge of the teacher’s absence from duty she was being marked present for the last six months.

Quoting another example, the Nazim said that the salary of a woman teacher of government primary school Tatar was stopped for being absent from duty for four months. But was later paid her salary.

He also informed about alleged embezzlement of huge funds meant for the Parents Teachers Associations (PTAs).

He said that funds had been drawn and shown to have been distributed to such schools of the area where no PTA existed.