PESHAWAR: Khyber Students Union, a group of students belonging to different localities of Khyber Agency, has expressed concern over the destruction of schools during militancy in the tribal region and demanded of the federal government to take immediate steps for reconstruction of the buildings.

Speaking at a news conference at the Peshawar Press Club on Wednesday, the union`s president Zahirullah said at least 170 school buildings, including those of girls, had been either damaged or destroyed during the past seven years.

Flanked by other officebearers of the students union, he said thousands of students had quit their studies due to displacements and were forced to do menial jobs to earn a living for their families.

He said many residents had returned to their locali-ties under the government policy but their children were yet to start going to schools due to non-availability of facilities.

The worst affected, he said were the girls students who couldn`t go to far off areas to continue their studies. He said the local education department was least bothered to take effective steps for rehabilitation of the education infrastructure.

Mr Zahirullah pointed out that free books were sold out in the market but no concerned ofhcial bothered to take notice. `we have proof about sale of books meant to be given to students free of cost,` he claimed.

He said the government was bound to focus on reconstruction of the damaged and destroyed school buildings. He said the government wasn`t realising the significance of education. Similarly, he demanded action against some education department officials for not attending to their duties.