KHAR: Speakers at a conference here on Tuesday called for joint efforts to improve educational facilities in Bajaur Agency with a view to socioeconomic development of the tribal region.

The conference titled `Importance of education in socioeconomic development of tribal area` was held at a private school in Umary area of Mamond tehsil organised by All Bajaur Private Schools Association.

The speakers included All Bajaur Political Parties Alliance president Qari Abdul Majeed, schools association president Bahadar Said, educationist and rights activist Fazal Rahman, and sociologist Abdul Qayyum.

The participants observed thatlack ofeducation was the major cause of backwardness of the tribal society. They noted that youth developed negative tendencies owing to absence of education facilities.

The speakers flayed the government for neglecting the education sector in the tribal areas. They noted that the number of educational institutions in the agency needed to be increased to accommodate the growing number of students.

The speakers stated that most of the schools lacked staff and other basic facilities. They asked parents to enroll their children in schools and keep a close watch over their activities.

They called upon the local lawmakers and elders to play their due role in improving the condition of government educational institutions.

TEACHERS NOT PAID SALARY: Theteachers of basic education community schools here have threatened to shut the schools if their outstanding salaries were not paid immediately.

Addressing a news conference here the other day, All Bajaur Basic Community School Teachers Association president Rizwanullah said the teachers had not been paid their salaries for last 10 months.

Flanked by ofhcebearers of the association, he said the project of the federal ministry of education and professional training was introduced in the agency in 2002.

Under the scheme, he said over 100 singleroom schools were established in different areas, but some of them were closed owing to unknown reasons.

However, he said at least 90 schools, mostly situated in remote areas, were still functioning, playing an important role in promoting education in the agency`s less developed areas.

Mr Rizwanullah pointed out that teachers of these schools were qualified and welltrained, and were continuously discharging their duties despite nominal salaries.

He said the matter was brought into the notice of officials concerned, but to no avail.

`We want to continue our job, but the government is forcing us to shut the schools, Rizwanullah said, appealing to the authorities to take notice of the matter. He also demanded increasing the salaries of basic community schoolteachers to Rs15,000. Correspondent