PM allocates Rs2.7 bn for upgrading of schools

Islamabad: Minister of State for Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD) Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry has said Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has allocated Rs2.7 billion for upgradation of schools and procurement of buses for educational institutions.

Responding to a question during the Question-Hour in the National Assembly, Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said the there was 60% increase in budget for the education sector for the ongoing financial year. However, the funds given by the prime minister were apart from the budgetary allocations.

The minister said that so far 70 buses at the cost of Rs400 million have been provided to schools while another Rs110.6 million have been earmarked for procurement of 120 buses and 30 coasters.

He said the prime minister and Maryam Nawaz have been taking special interest in upgradation of educational institutions.In this connection, the Ministry of CADD is working on up gradation of 200 schools for which another Rs3 billion would be required. “ The required amount will be received by end of this year,” he said.

The opposition members including Nafeesa Khattak and others expressed concerns over continuous increase fees of private schools. In response, the Minister of State for CADD said the Prime Minister had directed that private institutions should be bound not raise their fees. However, he said some schools have taken stay from high court against Government’s directions.

However, he said the Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Authority (Piera) has directed the private institutions not to burden parents of students and receive their fee for the summer vacations in installments.