President
stresses timely completion of mega projects
From Zeeshan Mirza
KARACHI—President Pervez Gen Musharraf has directed the authorities
concerned to complete all the mega projects in time to improve living
standard of common men and no leniency would be tolerated in this
regard.
He was addressing a briefing here on Saturday given to him to apprise
about ongoing projects in Sindh. The president directed to expedite the
work on ongoing mega projects in Sindh. He was informed that under the
educational projects, free primary education would be provided to 1.6
million children. It was also informed that out of 35 students enrolled
in 1st class, only 12 students were able to reach Class 10th and the
efforts are underway to increase that ratio.
The president was informed that more 0.3 million children started to go
to school and Rs 2.32 billion are being provided to District Governments
to improve the condition of schools in the province. Expressing his
satisfaction over the steps taken by the Sindh government for the
promotion of education he underlined that the federal government would
provide all possible help to provide education facilities in the
province. It was stated that Sindh government stands committed to
universalize education in the province and is poised to unfold strong
policy actions for raising literacy in Sindh to 100percent. The
provincial government, it was further stated, is committed to reforming
school education through an education reform programme that would unfold
gradually but visible and sustainable improvements in access to quality
education in the province. The major objectives being pursued include
improving access to education by bringing over 1.64 million out of
school children of primary level to the schools and facilitate retention
and better completion rates. President Musharraf on the occasion ordered
to put an end to ban on the jobs in Education Department and recruit the
teachers on the basis of merit. He also directed that measures be taken
right from the grassroots level for academic reforms and improving the
academic standard.
He assured that federal government would extend its full support in such
endeavours. The President also called for opening technical colleges and
universities so as to help produce trained manpower. He also pointed
towards the conversion of the Marine Academy in Karachi into engineering
university which would be imparting education in accordance with the
international standard as well as syllabus.
General Pervez Musharraf said that faculty members for this institution
would also be hired from abroad. He also asked the Chief Minister to
monitor the education and development projects in the province. The
President was informed that the provincial government has prepared an
Education Sector Policy Framework that has been supported by many
partners especially the World Bank. |
