PESHAWAR, Nov 10: Their eyes full with tears, children turned up on Thursday at the Balakot Government High School where 85 of their fellows lie buried in mass graves in the middle of the courtyard.

The students, who came to the school, formally reopened by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz saw a row of graves of children who died when the school building collapsed on October 8.

They looked at the graves with awe and grief and later went to their classrooms. They also played games for a brief period during the recess.

Five more schools will be reopened in Mansehra soon, the contractor of the school told this reporter.

However, a psychiatrist taking care of survivors suffering from mental ailments since Eidul Fitr, said that schools should not be built at places where there were graves which could have an adverse effect on children’s minds.

The school with five classrooms, principal’s office and a washroom, cost Rs2.5 million donated by federal Minister for Industries Jehangir Tareen, said contractor Samad A. Khan.

He said the classrooms were quake-proof, adding that he had used galvanised steel frames, and galvanised iron-sheet cladding for the outer portion and ceiling, and insulated material and laminated sheet inside.

He said that after a few days’ work, the Balakot Girls High School would also be reopened.

APP adds: Prime Minister Aziz, who was accompanied by Governor Khalilur Rehman, Chief Minister Akram Durrani, federal ministers Jehangir Tareen, G.G. Jamal, Babar Ghauri and Ishaq Khan Khakwani, offered fateha and laid wreath on the graves of students.

The prime minister was informed that out of 735 students of the school, 200 died in the quake. The school also lost four teachers and two other employees and its building was completely destroyed.

Some of the students and teachers who were injured in the quake and have now recovered attended the opening ceremony.

Talking to students, Mr Aziz said the government wanted to reopen all the damaged schools without delay.

Appreciating the quality of construction of the new school building, the prime minister urged the students to concentrate on their education as the new building was quake-proof and suitable for winter.

The prime minister said the nation faced a difficult time, but it would overcome the difficulties with the cooperation, dedication and devotion of people and philanthropists.

He said more school buildings would be constructed with the help of private sector so that educational activities could resume without delay.

The students told the prime minister that they were living in tents, but were happily to come back to school after one month.