GHALANAI: Scores of girl students in Shaheed Banda area of Pandiali tehsil here have quit pursuing further education after fifth grade as there is no middle or high school in the area.

Shaheed Banda is a far-flung and backward area of Lower Mohmand subdivision with low literacy rate having no health and other basicfacilities.

Mustafa Khan, a social worker, said the girls primary school was constructed in 2007, but it was not upgraded due to which most students left pursuing education after primary level.

`The nearest high and middle schools are at a distance of about 10 kilometres in Matta Mughal Khel area of Shabgadar in Charsadda, which has compelled many students to quit education halfway,` he said.

The social worl(er pointed that there were only three teachers for about 250 students in the girls school, adding the schoolalsolackedfurniture evenforteachers.

Mustafa Khan said the teachers taught students while sitting on beds in the two-room building, which was not sufficient to accommodate such a large number.

`The doors and windows of the school are in bad condition. A door fell on a student recently, injuring her,` said a fourth grader.

Gul Zada, president of Shaheed Banda welfare and youth organisation, said over 100 students had quit education after passing fifth grade as there was no middle school in the area.

I passed 5th class in 2015 and wanted to get admission in the 6th grade, but due to unavailability of middle school in the area I have to quit the education, said Laiba, a student.

She said a big water tank was constructed in the school, but it has been without water for last few years.

`Most students bring water in bottles with them to school,` said a teacher, adding due to lack of water two bathrooms of the school lied unused. He said the school also had no playground.

Tayyeba, a third grader, said books were not provided to them in time due to which their precious time was wasted.

Robeena Gul, the head teacher, said as the school had good enrolment compared to other areas, the government should build a middle school to accommodate the growing number of students.

According to local administration officials, half of Shaheed Banda fell in the limits of Mohmand Agency while the rest was with the Charsadda district, and due to this dispute, the area remained neglected.