self-help: School being built on self-help basis

MAZAR-I-SHARIF, May 22 (Pajhwok Afghan News): Residents in the Chimtal district of the northern Balkh province Monday started reconstruction of a school torched by miscreants a week back. The school has been constructed by people of the area on self-help basis with their personal contributions. Unidentified gunmen set afire the Arab Mazari girls' High School on May 16. People of the area said they were reconstructing the school to save wastage of time of their children. They criticised the government for not taking steps to start the work. Taj Mohammad, a dweller of the area and among the volunteers, told Pajhwok Afghan News waiting for help from the government would result in loss of time. "We started the work so that our children may get education." According to the education department officials, about 1,000 students were enrolled in the school constructed by the National Solidarity Programme (NSP). Commending the urge among the citizens, district chief Amir Mohammad Waqar said the people enthusiastically started work to complete reconstruction work of the school as soon as possible. He hoped it would soon be completed. Ahmad Naim Qadiri amm/dk