SWABI: Students of Yar Hussain Degree College blocked Chota Lahor-Yar Hussain Road here the other day to protest shortage of teachers and facilities at their educational institution.

Among protesters were members of various student unions, who said they had joined the protest to protect the rights of the student community. The students boycotted classes, marched from outside the college to Yar Hussain-Chota Lahor Road and placed blockades there to suspend traffic for hours.

The protesters said Yar Hussain Degree College lacked teachers and facilities to the misery of students.

They said the college’s boundary wall had collapsed years ago but it had yet to be rebuilt; toilets were in bad shape, and there were no drivers for transport.

Local MNA Usman Khan Tarakai showed up and assured students of early resolution of their problems.

He said he would speak to the relevant officials for addressing understaffing and shortage of facilities at the college. Thereafter, students ended protest and dispersed peacefully.

Meanwhile, a lecturer of the college told Dawn that the educational institution had enrolled 500 students and needed seven teachers for different subjects.

He said the college had formally informed the provincial college directorate about understaffing, but to no avail.

Published in Dawn, October 30th, 2014