Islamabad, July 30 (DPA) The United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) Thursday called for the rebuilding of schools in northwestern Pakistan as nearly two million people displaced by fighting between the military and Taliban militants return to their homes.

'As returns begin, the education infrastructure will need to be rebuilt so that children can begin school on time after the summer holidays,' Syed Fawwad Ali Shah, a spokesman for the UN agency, told reporters in Islamabad.

An estimated 600,000 children are enrolled in Malakand schools and they have already missed up to a year of education due to the hostilities.

Authorities have planned to restart educational activities from August. Tents will be set up in areas where school buildings are not available.

Militants led by radical cleric Maulana Fazlullah destroyed 187 schools and damaged 318 others during nearly two years of insurgency. Girls' education was partially banned earlier this year following an edict issued by Fazlullah.

Troops launched an offensive in the Malakand region in late April after Islamist insurgents flouted a peace deal by refusing to disarm, and instead expanded their influence in the area.