by Noorul Hadi
Although FATA remained under extreme pressure of terrorism and extremism for over a decade, yet development activities also continued with intervals where became possible. Education and health sectors were kept alive even in most difficult times. One may not say, the things were smooth for working personnel but they continued their efforts. However, achievements are quite impressive. At the same time, it is a well-tested reality that each and every institution suffered a lot, although they were opened for a limited period. However, efforts also continued at the same time to taking care of the immediate needs of the people.
The current financial year, ending on June 30 is expected to be carrying with much advancement on every account, since its major part witnessed a lot of achievements in respect of restoring peace and stability. Beyond doubt, the Zarb-e-Azb ushered a lot and made the things smooth for almost every nation building department to go ahead with their plans for the betterment the people. Taking cognisance of the upcoming better situation, Governer Iqbal Zafar Jhagrra declared education emergency in FATA soon after taking the charge. Ultimately, the sector came under his direct focus so everything started moving accordingly. Resultantly, 59 development schemes were successfully completed through the proper approval process merely in schools up gradation sector. The total amount reflected against the aforementioned development plans was figured at Rs 3474.930 million.
Let us have a glance of the ground realities in this particular case. Apart from lack of routine educational facilities especially ensuring availability of civic amenities in schools; inaccessibility to educational institutions; absenteeism both on part of students and teachers; lack of interest on part of parents; harsh weather conditions; insufficient road network and shortage of properly qualified and trained teachers, the problem of dropout of students mainly because of non-availability of schools of next higher levels within the given jurisdictions takes the lead over everything else. To cope with this issue, this development package was meant to upgrade 59 schools of all the categories. Resultantly, 315 primary, 141 middle, and nine high schools are supposed to be upgraded as middle, high and higher secondary levels respectively by the end of the financial year.
Anyhow as a result of well-mannered and efficient implementation plan, out of 59 approved projects, 35 schemes of schools system have already been completed at a cost of Rs 1991.377 million. This means that 29 primary to middle; 165 middle and two high schools have already been upgraded to next higher levels. Keeping in view the pressing demands of the people coping with deficiencies, not only the given targets in respect of upgrading middle schools to high standards have been achieved but even surpassed.
Further, as a part of the ongoing efforts to encourage and attract students not only to join the school system but also to continue their studies, text books are provided free of cost. This time, under this scheme, approximately 396,700 students are expected to be benefitted. The scheme is only meant for the students, studying in government schools up to 10th class across FATA. The plan of mainstreaming the young generation to have a future, the government has launched a scheme of inland-scholarships for the students hailing from FATA. This year, 49173 talented students will be benefitted. Under this scheme, scholarships are announced in line with prescribed procedure and every required step is taken to enable the talented students to reap the benefits.
With this background in mind, it is not difficult to assess that the most talented ones were used to suffer the worst. Many intelligent students have to abandon their future endeavours from the platform of an education system at a certain stage and one may rarely found an example of the graduates stepping in the mainstream process to contribute at the national level. To bridge this gap, two cadet colleges have been established at Wana and Spinkai Sararogha in South Waziristan Agency over the recent past. Both the institutions are accruing impressive results under the aegis of Pak Army and have been judged as the best partners of their sister institutions established in different parts of the country. To give a further boost to the academic and extracurricular activities of these two cadet colleges, an amount of Rs 400.028 million has been allocated to them during the year.
Last but not the least important achievement in the education sector is the functionalisation of FATA University. Establishing a university has been a cherished demand since long. Keeping in view the ground realities, the charter of FATA University was signed in early 2013. However, its materialisation was delayed because of obvious reasons. This university, as the nomenclature reflects, is the solitary institution of higher learning across FATA. Established at Akharrwal along Indus Highway in Darra Adamkhel, the university is progressing with a speed and quality level, much beyond the expectations. Let us hope a better change to usher in the time to come on every count, as far as ensuring availability of quality higher learning facilities is concerned. Keeping in view the speed, with which the projects are being materialised, there exist every hope that all the remaining 24 schemes will also be materialised by 30th June.
