TIMERGARA: Scores of heads and teachers of government high and higher secondary schools in Lower Dir on Saturday were awarded Rs5.4 million cash on their good performance on the report of the independent monitoring unit (IMU).

A total of 84 school heads and teachers were given cash at a function held at government high school, Mian Banda. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Finance Muzafar Syed was the chief guest.

On the occasion, the minister said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government had initiated steps to boost standard of education in public sector schools. He urged school heads, teachers and representatives of local government to help improve education standards in the province.

The minister said establishment of IMU and installation of biometric system at schools were steps aimed at bettering education system.

He said the state run schools were well equipped compared to private schools, but they failed to produce good results. The minister said the government planned to award cash prizes to teachers and students on showing good results.

D I S P U T E D SET TLEMENT: A local jirga of elders in Khall on Saturday succeeded in settling a dispute between two families, the members of which, promised at a function to live like brothers in future.

The jirga resolved the dispute between the families of Akhunzada Rahim Zada Advocate of Mansoorabad Khall and district councillor Liaqat Ali of Toormang.

Several members of the rival parties were sent to jail after a clash in which people from both sides were injured.

THIN ATTENDANCE: Only 19 of the total 61 members of the Lower Dir district council attended the last meeting of the current session of the council that ended here the other day, insiders told Dawn. Sources said the members were not taking interest in the meetings because of lack of powers and funds. Correspondent