Bannu’s 125-Year-Old Historic School Crumbling Under Neglect; DEO Assures Relief

By: abdus salam Baitab):

Bunnu: A 125-year-old institution, Government Primary School Fatima Khel in Bannu, which has been imparting education for generations, is currently facing serious challenges. With over 900 students enrolled, the school has only nine classrooms, which are insufficient to accommodate all students. Two sections from each class are being taught in a single room, creating significant difficulties in the teaching process. The shortage of teaching staff has further compounded the problem.
District Education Officer Abdul Malik paid a surprise visit to the school and assured that steps would be taken for the implementation of the PC-1 development plan.
According to details, an enrollment awareness walk was organized by the Government Primary School Fatima Khel, led by Head Teacher Malik Tariq Khan. During the visit, the District Education Officer was briefed that the school was established in 1901 and was formally taken into government control in 1928. Over the years, the institution has produced dozens of specialist doctors, directors, professors, and other officers who began their educational journey here, many of whom have now retired.
Currently, the student population exceeds 900, and due to space constraints, two sections per class have been created, causing considerable teaching challenges. Additionally, a couple of classrooms are in such dilapidated condition that temporary supports have been installed to keep their roofs intact. Despite the preparation of PC-1 proposals for additional construction on two occasions, no practical progress has been made so far.
On this occasion, the District Education Officer personally inspected the poor condition of the school and assured the headmaster that he would write to higher authorities to address the issue and ensure a secure future for the students………………………………………………………..
Bannu (Abdus salam Baitab:
An awareness session and open court (Khuli Kachehri) on the role, importance, effectiveness, and objectives of the Provincial Ombudsperson of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was held in District Bannu, led by Provincial Ombudsperson Rukhsana Mehdi.
While addressing the session, the Ombudsperson highlighted the importance of her office and urged citizens of Bannu Division, especially women, to approach the Provincial Ombudsperson to register complaints regarding property rights and workplace harassment. She emphasized that this platform provides quick and affordable justice, ensuring that women are not deprived of their property rights or subjected to injustice and harassment at workplaces.
Commissioner Bannu Division, Captain (Retd.) Khalid Mahmood, welcomed the Ombudsperson and appreciated her visit, stating that it brought honor to the region. He further mentioned that the awareness session and open court could also be viewed live via Facebook in districts Bannu, Lakki Marwat, and North Waziristan. Additionally, complaints can be registered online through the official website of the Provincial Ombudsperson to facilitate prompt justice, particularly for women.
The event was attended by Commissioner Bannu Division Captain (Retd.) Khalid Mahmood, DIG Sajjad Khan, Deputy Commissioner Bannu Muhammad Faheem, Deputy Commissioner Lakki Marwat Hameedullah Khan, Secretary to Commissioner Muhammad Saqib, Assistant Commissioner Headquarters Allah Nawaz Khan, Additional Assistant Commissioners, as well as a large number of political and social figures, and male and female students.
During the session, the Regional Police Officer stated that female police personnel have been mobilized in District Bannu to address women’s issues and help resolve their problems effectively.
In her concluding remarks, the Provincial Ombudsperson expressed satisfaction over the participation of attendees and reiterated that addressing women’s property issues and workplace harassment on a priority basis is her foremost responsibility.
Following the session, during the open court, women presented their complaints in detail. Several issues were resolved on the spot by the concerned authorities, while others requiring more time were noted and will be addressed within a stipulated timeframe.