Shahbaz lauds British cooperation in education

LAHORE

Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said that British Department DFID is also extending cooperation in this programme of the Punjab government. He said that 11,000 out of 36,000 new classrooms will be constructed with the cooperation of DFID in next two years which will cost Rs17.60 billion.

He said this in a meeting with the British Ambassador John Casson. British Ambassador John Casson called on Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, here Thursday. Matters of mutual interest and cooperation regarding promotion of education were discussed during the meeting. 

The British Ambassador lauded comprehensive reforms and implementation of effective programme for the promotion of education in Punjab. He said that Punjab had displayed outstanding performance in education sector under the leadership of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and the Punjab government had achieved impressive targets for the promotion of education. He said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, the Punjab government set commendable example by introducing comprehensive reforms and taking significant measures in education sector.

The British Ambassador said that he wanted to implement successful educational model of Punjab in Egypt and needed cooperation in this regard. Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said that Britain and Pakistan were strong partners in the journey to progress and prosperity. He said that cooperation of DFID in education, health and skill development sectors was appreciable. He said the Punjab government had achieved various milestones in education, health and skill development sectors. He said that solid programme had been evolved for empowering the youth through education.

Shahbaz Sharif said that record funds had been allocated in the budget of new fiscal year for improving education, health, skill development and other social sectors. Reforms programme continuing in education sector is effectively monitored and a system has been evolved with the help of information technology for checks and balances in reforms programme, he added. He said that special resources had been provided for the construction of 36,000 new classrooms in schools. He said that more than 19,000 additional classrooms in schools and missing facilities would be made available in all schools at a cost of Rs28 billion during next financial year. 

He said that more than 50,000 children working at kilns throughout the province had been enrolled.