SARGODHA, July 25: Free schooling and stipends offered for working children joining the schools have failed to convince most of the their families here.

So far 120 children have been admitted to the centre at 77-A Satellite Town, and 60 the Community Education Centre, Bhera. Sixty girls are receiving training in Shamsher Town embroidery centre. All three centres are funded by the Baitul Maal.

Hundreds of children between the ages of 10 and 14 years, however, are working in restaurants, workshops and shops for at least 12 hours a day. Those up to 12 years old are paid Rs10 a day. The wages vary for older children.

The parents of children joining the schools are offered Rs350 per month. However, the response has been poor.

ZAKAT FUNDS: Anwar Bibi, 65, of Chak 114 SB, a widow, said here the Mughal biradari had made Zakat and Ushr funds a family trust. She said after she appealed to the chief executive, the Sargodha district coordination officer had referred her case to the Zakat and Ushr Committee chairman but he kicked her out of his office.

She alleged that lumberdar Muhammad Sadiq of the village was drawing Zakat funds in the name of his servant. After she lodged a complaint against him, she said, he accused her of loose morals in spite of her age.