Officials say 61,000 children out of schools in Khyber

LANDIKOTAL: Despite limited resources, the education authorities in Khyber district claimed to have enrolled 10,000 students so far.

The enrollment awareness seminar was held on Saturday at Government High School Hashimabad.

Parents, elders, teachers, students and officials attended the function.

Speakers, including principal Abdur Rehman Afridi, Assistant Sub-divisional Education Officer Adil Nawaz Afridi and Additional Assistant Commissioner Naseer Abbas and others addressed the gathering.

They said that around 61,000 children were still out of school in Khyber. They said a target had been set to enroll 15,000 children in the first phase of the drive this year.

Naseer Abbas and Adil Nawaz Afridi formally enrolled a number of children during the event, urging parents, teachers and local communities to support the initiative.

“Education is not just a right. It’s our shield against ignorance and violence. Every child in school is a step toward a safer future,” said Adil Nawaz Afridi.

He said a number of children dropped out from schools due to insecurity and displacement in the past.

Naseer Abbas said although peace had largely returned, poverty, cultural barriers and inadequate infrastructure continued to prevent thousands from accessing education.

Praising the efforts of teachers, civil administration and community members, he said that the target of 15,000 admissions may be surpassed with continued support.

Later, an awareness walk was held in which students and teachers participated with the message “education is a right no child should be denied”.