Swabi schools witness 31pc increase in enrolment

SWABI: The government schools in Swabi have recorded 31 percent increase in enrolment after UNHCR’s intervention.

The project funded by the Federal Republic of Germany and launched by UNHCR and the provincial government was aimed at strengthening infrastructure, expanding the capacity of three government schools and creating safer learning environment.

These schools were without adequate facilities. The UNHCR through the Refugee Affected and Hosting Areas (RAHA) programme constructed and rehabilitated 28 classrooms, 20 latrines and provided furniture for 28 classrooms.

The newly-constructed and rehabilitated Government Girls Higher Secondary School Topi, Government Primary School Gala and Government Primary School Gandaf were handed over to the Education Department at a ceremony.

National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser was the chief guest on the occasion.

German Ambassador, Martin Kobler, UNHCR Country Representative in Pakistan, Ruvendrini Menikdiwela, Provincial Additional Education Secretary Abdul Basit, Commissioner for Afghan Refugees Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Abbas Khan, head of UNHCR office in Peshawar Dinesh Shrestha and officials from different departments attended the ceremony.

Speaking on the occasion, Menikdiwela extended gratitude to the German government for extending generous support to RAHA programme.

She lauded the provincial government’s efforts to provide refugee children with access to education through inclusion into government schools alongside their Pakistani peers.

Menikdiwela said education was the basic right of every child and UNHCR, under the RAHA programme, has been trying to improve the quality of education.

“Providing such support is one way of showing solidarity with these communities that have generously hosted refugees for many years,” she said.

Asad Qaiser appreciated UNHCR and the government of Germany for supporting the government in its development initiatives in different sectors. He said these initiatives have greatly improved the learning environment in the schools.