SHANGLA: Girls in the backward Kohistan district have been deprived of education opportunities as most schools are without teachers and basic facilities, while others await rehabilitation after having been damaged in the 2010 flash floods.

It is to mention here that the district was recently divided into three districts. Residents of Dhachi area in Pattan tehsil told Dawn that the only girls school got collapsed in 2010 flash floods, but it was yet to be reconstructed due to which their children were deprived of education.

They pointed out the single teacher had long been absent from school, now functioning in a tent. They claimed that they had time and again urged the teacher to come to school, but she refused, saying she was a relative of the district education officer.

Laiba, a 2nd grader, said she had passion for education, but her future was bleak as the teacher remained absent.

Resident Noorul Haq said their daughters were quite interested in getting education, but the government was not taking interest in making the school functional.

Sumera, 4th grader, said the teacher, who belongs to Mansehra, had visited the school three months ago. She said though an NGO had provided them hygiene kits, school bags and uniforms, they were unable to start proper studies due to absence of teacher. Kifayatullah, watchman of the school, said the teacher seldom came to school.

Meanwhile, Saeed Mir of Nimartay Sosak area told Dawn the government girls primary School, Sosak, was also without teacher. He said the teacher belonged to Mansehra and was not willing to come to school, adding 90 children were enrolled in the school. Regional coordinator, Alif Elan, Hafiz-ur-Rehman told Dawn that about 80 per cent of schools in the district were non-functional. He said some schools had been occupied by influential persons.

When contacted, assistant sub-divisional education officer, Arbab Mohammad told Dawn that they had sent cases of habitual absentee teachers to the provincial education department and their salaries had also been stopped. Correspondent