KHAR: The education department on Friday terminated the services of six watchmen of government schools for girls over the prolonged absence from duty in Bajaur Agency.

Earlier this month, the department had sacked 18 watchmen of the agency`s government schools over absenteeism.

Bajaur Agency education officer Saeed Gul told reporters here that the watchmen were sacked under the Government Servants` Efficiency And Discipline Rules, 2011.

He said the department had followed all formalities to terminate the services of watchmen.

`Several show-cause notices were issued to watchmen and even they were published in several national dailies.

However, none of the watchmen approached the department during the time fixed to clarify the causes of their long absence from job,` he said.

Gul said the department used all possible means to inform watchmen about the notices but they didn`t respond to them.

`All that showed that watchmen didn`t want to continue with their services,` he said.

The education officer said watchmen`s termination would be effective from November 14.

Gul said the education department in collaboration with local political administration had begun monitoring all those associated with education sector to ensure their presence at the respective educational institutions, in line with the directives of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governor.

He said there were complaints of absenteeism at various schools in the agency and that those not doing their duty diligently would be dealt with strictly and thus, benefiting students.

The education officer said most absentees had `hired` people to do dutyin theirplace.

He said the department won`t tolerate irregularities at schools and would take necessary action against those involved in them.

Gul said special committees consisting of officials from education department and local administration, and tribal elders would be formed soon to monitor activities at government schools across the agency.