PESHAWAR: Parents of the school-going children in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa demanded of the government to make changes in the timings of schools during Ramzan, citing early morning school attendance unsafe for young girls.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, parents have strongly objected to the working hours of schools during Ramazan. In the previous Ramazan, there were several incidents inside and outside the city, in which young girls and students faced sexual violence and snatching of purses and mobile phones.
Parents have requested the authorities to change the school timings during Ramadan from 7:30 am to 9 am or later so that girls can avoid going to school through unsafe streets and deserted roads.
Parents say that during Ramazan, business activities and offices on the roads start late, due to which the streets are empty and deserted in the early morning. If young girls and students leave for schools during this time, concerns about their safety increase.
Keeping in mind the incidents of last year, parents have requested the provincial government and the education department to review the school timings and take steps to ensure the safety of girls. If no change is made this time too, the incidents are likely to recur, which may cause further concern for parents.
Parents say that to ensure the safety of girls, the government should immediately change the working hours of schools from 9 am to 1 pm so that girls can be saved from such serious situations.
Islamabad and other major cities have already revised the school timings for Ramazan.
