Over a 100 schools in Pakistan have been renamed in honour of the children killed in a Taliban siege at a Peshawar school last year.
The move comes after six Taliban gunmen stormed the Army Public School in Peshawar in December last year, killing 152, of which 136 were students.
“This is momentous,” Muhammad Tufail, whose 15-year-old son, Sher Shah, was among those killed told Pakistan paper Dawn. A school in his native village has been renamed in honour of Sher.
Besides, the government has also named The Frontier College for Women after the slain APS principal Tahira Qazi.
“Naming an educational institution after the victims will help keep their memories alive,” Tufail said, adding that the tragedy changed the direction of the country in combating terrorism.
“This is a befitting tribute to the great sacrifice these students have made for the nation and the children’s right to education,” he added.
According to the education department’s notification, 62 schools would be named after the APS students, which included 10 in Charsadda, four each in Mardan and Swabi, three in Malakand, two in Abbottabad, two in Karak and one in Dir besides others.
Students return to Peshawar school after deadly massacre
The Peshawar Tragedy: A turning point for Pakistan
Rohan Murty, the master of many trades
Prem Panicker: A stutter no more, in a modest chase