ISLAMABAD, Nov 1: Students of the earthquake affected areas of Azad Kashmir would be accommodated in schools and colleges of the Islamabad Capital Territory, the Federal Ministry of Education announced on Tuesday

A ministry statement said the decision was taken at a high-level meeting under the Federal Education Minister, Lt-Gen (retired) Javed Ashraf Qazi.

“All the displaced students of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and adjoining areas that were hit by the earthquake on October 8 will be accommodated in the educational institutions of the ICT,” said the statement.

Gen Qazi directed his ministry officials that students of all levels of the devastated areas would be facilitated and provided free education as long as the situation demanded.

The minister also directed the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) to open tent schools in the tent villages established by the Capital Development Authority (CDA).

Earthquake survivors have been placed at various locations in the capital city; Aabpara community centre, sports complex, women crisis centre, G-9, Iqbal Hall of the CDA, Bara Khu and sector H-11.

Volunteers have already started teaching students at these relief camps, and provide them books, school bags and other stuff.

Such services are particularly good for students of pre-primary classes, as it does not matter whether they take their examinations or not, said an official of the ministry.

However, students of middle, matric and intermediate classes need proper coaching which could only be provided at schools and colleges, the official said.

Therefore, the education ministry, though belatedly, have taken a right decision at a right time, and now people living in various relief camps could send their kids to nearby school and college, the source said.

In response to a question, the official said that, if required, additional classes would be started and every student of the affected areas would be given admission.