Failure of the government functionaries in reconstructing the schools destroyed by terrorists is depriving thousands of children and youths of their just right to education. The government in the last two years has so far constructed around 40 schools in scattered areas of Swat, which were badly damaged during the period 2006 to 2009. At the moment, construction of 117 schools across Swat is in progress. The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA)-affiliated PARRSA is engaged in construction of 80 whereas the armed forces focusing on 37 other schools. However when compared with the data of destroyed schools, reconstruction process is too slow, which affects efforts for ensuring education facilities to children and youth.
Officials say terrorists destroyed 404 educational institutions throughout the district, shunting more than 160,000 students out of schools. Soon after return of peace in Swat, the government ordered opening of tent-schools on the ruins of the destroyed schools. But less than 50 percent students turned to such schools whereas the rests have either abandoned education or shifted to private ones. There is no data of enrolment and attendance either with the Education Department or civil administration.
The high ups in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, when approached, said reconstruction of certain destroyed and damaged schools was in progress with the help of United States and the United Arab Emirates while the provincial government, despite limited resources, was also struggling to complete the task. However, the officials said the international community had failed in honouring its commitments regarding the reconstruction process.
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has so far received $36 million from the United States government, which is being consumed on the reconstruction of destroyed and damaged schools. The UAE government is also assisting reconstruction of certain schools whereas some of the European countries are busy in consultation for contribute in the cause.
It may be mentioned that militants have blown up or set on fire more than 400 schools throughout the Swat valley while the official data shows that only 70 of these schools were partially damaged whereas the rest were completely destroyed. The children, particularly parents of girl’s students, are reluctant to let them attending the schools functioning in tents.
