KHAR: The Government Post-Graduate College for Boys, Khar, on Monday launched the four-year BS programme, the first-ever such course in Fata.

Fata education director Hamidullah Jan was the chief guest at the launching ceremony, where agency education officer Said Gul, college principal Professor Gul Badshah, senior officials of education department, students and teachers were in attendance.

Hamidullah Jan told participants that the government was committed to promoting education in tribal areas.

He said the people of tribal areas wanted to get modern education but lack of facilities and ignorance were a hurdle to it.

The director said the government was committed to addressing the issues and challenges facing education sector in tribal areas.

`The Fata education directorate is determined to improve standard of education in tribal areas and therefore, result-oriented steps are being taken for the purpose, he said. Jan said promotion of education in tribal areas was need of the hour as education was necessary for peace and sustainable development.

He said the Fata directorate of education was keen to provide basic and modern education facilities in tribal areas and efforts had been expedited for the purpose.

The director said introduction of four-year BS programme in Post-Graduate College, Khar, was a significant step towards promotion of higher education in tribal areas.

He claimed the Fata directorate of education was planning to introduce such programme in colleges of other tribal agencies, too.

About shortage of staff at the college, Jan said the problem would soon be addressed by filling vacancies for the benefit of students.

The college principal said the college`s 20 sanctioned teaching posts had been vacant for several years stressing out students.

Later, the education director visited government educationalinstitutionsindifferent areas of the region and found most staff members absent from duty. He ordered strict action against absentee officials. Correspondent