MIRAMSHAH, Nov 16: At least 200 girls in North Waziristan have been forced to give up their education as security agencies have moved into the building of the only girls’ degree college in Miramshah, the headquarters of the agency.

The adjoining girls’ high school and hostel for teachers and girls are also lying vacant due to the same reason.

The Fata education department has asked the girl students to apply for admission to the boys’ college. The directive issued by the education department has angered parents.

Girl students would be unable to take classes in a boys’ college due to cultural restrictions, many parents feared.

The Fata education director has issued directives to principal of the post-graduate college for boys to issue admission forms to girl applicants so that classes could be started from Nov 19.

The parents are faced with a dilemma as they wanted education for their daughters but in segregation.

The parents expressed surprise at the directives issued by the Fata education department.

The college is also in dire need of teaching staff and a qualified principal. Parents contacted the political administration and asked it to provide teaching staff and get the college building vacated from security forces.

They called upon the political administration to open all government and semi-government educational institutions for girls.

Source: Dawn
Date:11/17/2007