SWABI: Speakers at a function here on Saturday stressed the need for provision of quality education to students to help them meet the emerging challenges.

The function was organised in honour of the outstanding students of the government high school, Topi No 1. Quiz and other competitions were also held on the occasion.

Tributes were paid to the founder of the institution, Sir Sahibzada Abdul Qayyum Khan, who donated about 52 kanal of land for establishment of the school in 1905.

It was announced that the school would set up the alumni association to utilise the experience of former students in motivating the existing students.

The ex-students would be invited at different times of the educational year to deliver speeches, aiming to inspire students to focus on their studies and creating an environment of competition.

The speakers said if the students lagged behind in education then it was difficult for them to achieve desired objectives.

They said the dream of progress and prosperity could not be fulfilled without quality education.

They said the reforms introduced by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government had provided an opportunity to students to get quality knowledge.

Hanifullah, former district education officer who recently was appointed as principal of the school, recalled that the school was upgraded to high level in 1942 by the then British government, and so far, over 70 batches had completed their secondary education from this institution.

“I am proud that I had also acquired education from this very institution while staying in a boarding house,” he recalled.

Mohammad Ghafoor, an educationist, said the grooming of students was responsibility of teachers.

Rohal Amin, a former student of the school, spoke about his student life, telling his successors to exploit the adequate facilities the school has provided in getting quality education.

PROMOTION DEMANDED: Members of the college teachers association have demanded one-step promotion.

Speaking at a meeting, Aseem Khan, the association’s president, said the employees of various public sector institutions had been promoted, but the college teachers worked in the same grade for years.

The participants said if the government did not promote them then they would start agitation for their rights.

Published in Dawn, February 5th, 2017