PESHAWAR, Nov 9: Elders of Khyber Agency have expressed concern over continuous absence of teachers from different government-run schools and urged the education department officials to take stern action against the erring teachers.

Speaking at a news conference at Peshawar Press Club on Saturday,elders,including Haji Inayat Zakhakhel, Haji Khan Said and Malik Zada, said the deteriorating law and order situation had badly affected the educational activities in Khyber Agency.

They urged the government to revive the education system.

Appreciating the agency education officer Atteq-urRehman`s stand against the absent teachers, the elders said the government should either ensure presence of teachers on duty or sack them.

`Some people who are supporting the absent teachers are not sincere with the tribal people to get education. We demand of the government to probe the matter and take action against the teachers who are taking salaries and not doing duties,` said Mr Zakhakhel.

He said Bara tehsil of Khyber Agency was the worst affected as most schools were either destroyed or closed due to lawlessness and the ultimate sufferers were the poor students.

`Rich people have shifted their families to other cities in the country but the poor people have no option except to say goodbye to education.