Summary A Rs6 million school building in Alagar, AJK, remains unused a year after construction, forcing girls from nearby villages to travel long distances for education.
MUZAFFARABAD: (Dunya News) - A school building constructed at a cost of Rs6 million in Alagar village of Sehensa, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), has remained non-functional for a year, depriving girls from the area and neighbouring villages of access to education.
The building was constructed through personal funds by Zardad Khan, a local resident living in the United Kingdom, with the aim of providing educational facilities to girls in his native area. However, classes have yet to begin despite the completion of construction.
The educational journey in Alagar began nearly three decades ago with a single room and a handful of children. Although the population and demand for education have increased over the years, the area continues to face a shortage of basic educational facilities.
Local resident Asif said girls from Alagar and surrounding areas had to travel to distant villages to attend school. The journey becomes particularly difficult during the rainy season, when unpaved roads turn muddy and slippery, creating additional challenges for young students.
Another resident, Riffaqat Ali, said girls had to cover considerable distances daily to reach educational institutions. The lack of proper and safe transport made it difficult for some families to send their daughters to school regularly.
Zaitoon Bibi, a local resident, said her two daughters walked around 1.5 kilometres every day to attend school in a neighbouring village. She said she remained worried about their safety, particularly during rainy weather and while they returned home.
She appealed to the AJK government to make the newly constructed building functional and establish a primary school there, saying the facility could benefit girls from Alagar and more than half a dozen surrounding villages.
Residents said overseas Pakistanis were contributing to the development of their native areas by investing in education and other public welfare projects. However, they stressed that the authorities must ensure the appointment of teachers and the commencement of classes in the building.
AJK Secretary of School Education Qazi Inayat said he would try to resolve the issue on a priority basis. He added that a report had also been sought from the relevant district education officer.
The situation in Alagar highlights the gap between constructing educational infrastructure and making it operational. Residents are now waiting for the education department to take practical steps to ensure that the building serves the purpose for which it was constructed.
