Most schools in Chitral without science teachers

Report Zahiruddin, Chitral
CHITRAL: More than 30 of 52 government high schools in the district conduct no science classes at the secondary level because of shortage of science teachers.

Sources said science laboratories had been established in all schools and necessary apparatus, chemicals and other paraphernalia had been provided by the government.

They said the stock of science laboratories was refreshed every year, but no effort had been made to appoint science teachers in the schools. They said science classes could not be started only for want of science teachers in the schools.

Parents of students have complained that successive governments in the past have failed to ensure introduction of science classes in the schools despite their repeated requests. They said the situation was more disturbing in the sector of female education, because they could not travel long distances seeking science classes.

They said that in private schools, science classes had been started in almost every village but their monthly tuition fee was beyond the reach of everyone. They said only a few people could afford sending their children to private schools.

A student from upper Chitral said he had to travel about 23 kilometres every day on foot to reach his school in another village because science subjects were not taught in his nearest high school.

The parents complained that the new academic year had started in government schools and another year of their children would be wasted because recruitment of science teachers was not possible in a short time.

They demanded that high schools’ managements should be authorised to appoint science teachers from their own funds.