KHAR: The government schools and colleges in Bajaur Agency reopened on Tuesday after winter vacation of about two and a half months. The private schools in the agency had already been reopened about two weeks ago.

According to an education department official, all arrangements had been made to ensure availability of teachers and other staff in the educational institutions across the tribal agency. He said that notification in this regard had been issued to the headmasters and principals of the schools and colleges.

Answering a question, the official claimed that almost all teachers and students attended their relevant institutions on the first day after the extended vacation. However, local people and students complained that a number of schools, particularly in remote localities, could not resume classes on Tuesday owing to shortage of teachers.

“Some of the schools in far-flung areas remained closed on the first day,” claimed Riaz Khan, a resident of Mamond. Amjad Khan, a student of Governor Model School and College, said that he went to the school, but did not attend any class due to shortage of teachers. People of various remote localities said that no girl school in their areas was reopened after the vacation. Talking to this correspondent, they said that schools in their areas could not be opened because the teachers, most of them outsiders, could not arrive in time.

Published in Dawn, March 2nd, 2016