KHYBER: The local education department has issued instructions to the school heads to not allow sale of substandard edibles in and outside their respective institutions.

These instructions were issued by deputy education officer Shahid Ali during surprise visits to different government schools in Bara teshil here on Saturday.

He advised the teaching staff to keep a strict watch on sale of such food items, which were hazardous for health of schoolchildren.

He told the teachers and students that such food items were causing health issues, especially stomach illnesses among the students, both boys and girls.

He said regular consumption of such substandard food items seriously affected the immune systemof children, causing hepatitis, chest and throat diseases.

He called for strictly banning sale of such substandard food items in and outside schools. He also urged the food department to take action against manufacturers of such substandard material.

Meanwhile, the residents of upper Bara have resented the pathetic attitude of the district administration towards the problems confronted by the recently returned families.

Talking to reporters on Sunday, Malak Waris Khan, Haji Gulab Khan, Haji Bawar Khan and others said a majority of the returned families were still without homes and official assistance as they braved the harsh winter with no or little shelter to keep their families safe from extreme cold.

The elders said that they had apprised the government officials about their problems on a number of occasions, but still they were not provided with required official assistance.