FDE proposal for new schools gets cold response

No funds released for seven proposed model schools

ISLAMABAD: At a time when capital’s schools are unable to cater to growing number of students, the Federal Directorate of Education’s proposal for new schools has received a cold response from the government.

The directorate sent the proposal to the Planning Commission and the Ministry of Capital Administration and Development Division last year but has received no response so far, sources told The Express Tribune.

FDE had proposed new model schools for Model Town Humak Zimni, PWD Housing Society, Rawal Town, two schools for Sector B-17, Ghora Shahan and Sector G-15.

The projects were estimated have cost between Rs48.7 million and Rs59.6 million each. The costs, however, are likely to escalate with delay in approval and execution of the projects. These institutes will accommodate 1,760 students combined.

State-run schools and colleges receive thousands of admissions applications every year, far beyond their capacity. Many families end up being forced to send their children to private schools. People regularly ask the government to build new schools and colleges, and to increase the capacity of existing ones.

At present, there are 422 public schools and colleges operating in Islamabad Capital Territory.

“Students from rural areas such as Bhara Kahu, Lohi Bher, Rawal town and Humak are forced to get admission in private schools or attend government schools in Islamabad city after long commutes due to the low number of schools in rural areas,” said Rizwan Ahmed, a resident of Bhara Kahu.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 29^th, 2016.