PC, Education Ministry chide NWFP Govt over missing targets
By Hina Kiyani

ISLAMABAD—The Planning Commission and Ministry of Education have expressed dissatisfaction over the project approved by ECNEC at a cost of Rs. 928.568 million in April 2004 to improve the condition of shools.
During the course of reviewing the subject project, it was observed that implementation of the project is not as per PC-l targets and the project has already been delayed by one year. The Government of NWFP inspite of rehabilitation of 588 and construction of 200 classrooms have not procured furniture and these classrooms are still not functional.
The executing agency has utilized Rs. 182.154 million against an allocation of Rs. 235.917 million, out of which of the two components i.e. Rehabilitation of class rooms in middle schools and ii. Provision of basic facilities to middle schools, whereas the balance amount of Rs. 53.763 million of a 5 badly affected districts by earthquake, has been diverted without approval of the competent authority. Against a target of up gradation of 143 primary schools to middle level, 60 have been completed so far in a period of 18 months.
The Planning Commission sent the Monitoring report of the Project to the Secretary, Schools and Literacy Department, Government of NWFP, Peshawar with the recommendations that implementation of project be expedited to avoid delays and cost escalation. The executing agency may complete the procurement process by June, 2008, so that the schools be operationalized. The executing agency may obtain approval of the competent forum in respect of diversion of funds from the approved scope of work.