In the upper area of Lakrha in the tribal district of Mohmand, the incomplete construction of a new building for the Government Degree College is causing serious difficulties for both teachers and students.
Established in 2004, this college is the only degree college serving a population of over 250,000 in Upper Mohmand. However, in 2007, a large part of the building was destroyed in a terrorist incident, after which the institution remained closed for three years. It was later temporarily shifted to Government Commerce College Ghalanai. In 2018, academic activities were resumed in the same dilapidated building, but the promise of reconstruction has yet to be fulfilled.
According to Associate Professor Mehranullah of the college, assurances were given in 2018 that reconstruction work would begin soon after their return, but no practical progress has been made so far.
He added that apart from the deteriorating building, the lack of transport, hostel facilities, and clean water is also a major issue for students, especially female students.
Mohmand district has a population of over 550,000, but there are only two degree colleges for boys, and one of them is this institution, which lacks basic facilities. Between 2006 and 2015, more than 1,000 educational institutions were affected due to terrorism in the former FATA region, and dozens of schools were also destroyed in Mohmand, severely disrupting educational activities.
Students say the dilapidated building could prove dangerous in any emergency situation.
