Right to education: FATA students demand destroyed schools be rebuilt

The Express Tribune

The FATA Students Organisation (FSO) on Thursday demanded the government take tangible steps for the reconstruction of destroyed educational institutions in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) and provide basic facilities to students. Students from the tribal areas protested outside the Peshawar Press Club holding banners and placards inscribed with slogans in favour of their demands.

Addressing the rally, FSO President Shaukat Aziz and General Secretary Haroon Khan said education is supposed to be the backbone of development and peace, but a lack of education has hampered progress in Fata. They claimed a majority of schools and colleges in the region have been closed for several years while some have been rented out to NGOs by the political administration. They also blamed security forces for establishing check posts and bases in college buildings in various agencies, depriving children of their rights. Aziz said shortage of teaching staff is a substantial hurdle in the way of education, adding immediate measures should be taken so the intellectual growth of tribal children is not stunted.

Protesters demanded the governor and relevant political agents to reopen all closed educational institutions and take tangible steps for reconstruction of destroyed schools and colleges in the tribal areas. They also demanded an increase in quota of students from Fata in educational institutions in the rest of the country, and called for an increase in their annual scholarships.