Daily Times

KHYBER AGENCY: Successful students of senior school certificate (SSC) on Tuesday staged a demonstration against the administration of Government Degree College Landi Kotal for lack of seats in first year.

The demonstration took place on the Pak-Afghan road in front of main entrance of the college. Students blocked the highway and raised slogans against officials of Fata Secretariat and local administration. The fresh admission seekers were of the view that most of them were from poor families and could not afford admission in private educational institutions.

“Population is increasing every year but admission seats at the college are the same as they were in 1970. This is equivalent to depriving the tribal children of education”, the protesters said.

The blockade ended after assurances from local administration. As per the college principal, there are a total of 250 seats for the first year students: 50 each for medical and engineering students and 120 for arts. “All the available seats have already been filled on merit”, he said.

He further said that the college administration had received 675 admission applications. Other than lack of the seats, the college is also facing shortage of classrooms and teaching staff. The principal suggested starting evening shift in the college to permanently resolve the issue.

Published in Daily Times, August 2^nd , 2017.