SIALKOT, Oct 14: Residents of border villages in Bajwat sector on Friday staged a protest demonstration against the closure of six girls primary schools by the government. More than six schools in Bajwat’s villages Papeen, Jog, Khanu Bhau, Beli Minhasaan, Bheince and Ghazipura, have been closed by the education department “due to non-availability of teachers and rundown condition of the buildings.”

These schools were established by former prime minister Muhammad Khan Jonejo. Since their establishment, these schools had been neglected by successive governments and local politicians.

These schools have now become cattle sheds where villager keep their cattle.

The Saddarpura school was upgraded to middle level eight years ago. However, no headmistress and teachers for middle classes have yet been appointed.

The buildings of schools in Meehaal, Beli Minhasaan, Bheince, Papeen, Khanu Bau and Jog are in bad shape. They have no boundary walls, electricity, toilets, furniture and potable drinking water facilities.

This tragic situation speaks volumes for the future of the children of these neglected areas.

This area falls in the constituency (NA-111, Sialkot II) of National Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Ameer Husain and provincial constituency (PP-121, Sialkot I) of Industries Minister Ajmal Cheema.