RAWALPINDI, Feb 17: More than 100 students from Murree staged demonstrations against the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE), Rawalpindi, on Sixth Road and Murree Road here on Monday.

The students, including boys and girls, were demanding setting up of a centre for matriculation examination at the Government High School, Phapriel, about eight kilometres from Murree. They said the centre which had been allocated by the board was very far from their area.

Despite heavy downpour, the students gathered outside the BISE office on Sixth Road and raised slogans in favour of their demand. They were also carrying placards.

The BISE chairman, Dr Aziz Ahmed Hashmi, who was busy in a meeting, met the students and assured them that he would look into the matter. Later, the students staged another demonstration at Mareer Chowk and dispersed peacefully.

The protest rally was led by the Phapriel Union Council Nazim Hafeez Abbasi. The students were brought from Murree in different vehicles.

A board official, when contacted, said the decision of changing the examination centre from Government High School, Phapriel, was taken three years ago when the Punjab Boards Chairmen Committee (PBCC) decided not to make such a school the examination centre which had less than 150 students appearing for the exams as regular candidates.

He said the number of students at the three government high schools in Phapriel and its surrounding areas was only 48 and, therefore, it was not possible for the board to set up an examination centre there.