ISLAMABAD: Bowing to Taleban threats, some 400 private schools in the picturesque but volatile Swat Valley in the northwest of the country have discontinued girls’ classes, depriving more than 40,000 students of their basic right to education.
Additionally, 84,248 girl students of state-run institutions are unlikely to attend schools due to the fear of Taleban, who now control the entire area, despite the resolve of the local administration to reopen the schools March 1, The News reported yesterday. Taleban have threatened to set on fire all the girls’ schools and colleges in the region. Their spokesman Muslim Khan issued the threat from an FM radio. Girls’ schools across the district gave a deserted and forlorn look yesterday, while the government is seen apathetic to this horrible situation.
The Taleban, led by Maulana Fazlullah group of militants, had Dec. 24 asked all government and private schools to close down girls’ classes by Jan 15.
Some parents finding no alternative have started migrating to other parts of the country for education of their girls, while the poor parents having obtained the school transfer certificates of their children still wondering where to take them for the continuation of their studies.
“The Swat TTP reviewed the decision a couple of weeks ago with Maulana Fazlullah in the chair. They did not withdraw their threat, but softened their stance and allowed girls to attain education up to the fourth grade. However, the chief of the terrorists renewed the threat of bombing educational institutions if any school continued higher education for girls,” The News said.
“Girls, their parents, teachers and even drivers transporting students to and from schools are frightened while the owners of buildings have also asked us to vacate their property in view of fear of damage due to bombing,” the owner said. Taleban militants have already destroyed 172 schools — 122 for girls and 50 for boys — depriving 40,646 students of education. These include 23,308 girls and 17,338 boys. This apart, 18 schools have been occupied by the armed forces engaged in operations against the militants. This has impacted 7,039 students.
Meanwhile, Pakistan security forces killed four Taleban commanders in the Swat Valley yesterday. According to Swat Media Center those killed included Fazal Haq, Khalifa, Nauman and operational commander Fazal Gull with some other Taleban.
The Media Center statement said that the security forces had engaged a group of Taleban in Manglor region in a gunbattle.
— With input from agencies
