CM launches enrolment campaign in Khyber district

PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Mahmood Khan has said that the government has set a target to enrol 800,000 out-of-school children during the ongoing year.

He was addressing a ceremony held in connection with the enrolment campaign in Khyber district, said an official handout.

The chief minister said the government was taking steps to implement Article 25-A of the Constitution by providing free education to children.

Federal Minister for Education Shafqat Mehmood, Federal Minister for Religious Affairs

Noorul Haq Qadri, Advisor to Chief Minister on Merged Districts Ajmal Wazir and Advisor to Chief Minister on Elementary and Secondary Education Ziaullah Bangash were present as well.

Mahmood Khan said the government was making efforts to benefit from the normalcy in the province after 14 years of insurgency and terrorism, adding that all stakeholders should work collectively with the government for the betterment of their future.

He directed the officials of the Elementary and Secondary Education Department to chalk out a proposal for the provision of allowances to teachers performing duties in far-flung areas.

The chief minister directed the district education officers to regularly visit educational institutions in the merged districts, adding that anyone found negligent in duties would be proceeded against as per the law.

Federal Minister for Education Shafqat Mehmood said the federal government was committed to eradicating illiteracy from the country, adding the initiating of enrolment campaign from Khyber district was evidence of the government’s commitment to developing the tribal districts.

Advisor to Chief Minister on Merged Areas Ajmal Wazir said that people from the merged districts areas should reflect on the reasons for their deprivation and the causes of decades of exploitation and insecurity.

Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Noorul Haq Qadri underlined the importance of education, urging the tribespeople to educate their children.

Advisor to Chief Minister on Elementary and Secondary Education Ziaullah Bangash said the government had advertised 2,400 posts so far for the tribal areas. He said the chief minister had approved the creation of 4000 posts.

The chief minister also inaugurated the 7.7 km Jamrud Bypass Road to be constructed at a cost of Rs966 million.