Govt releases: Rs240m for sports kits for high school students

Summary prepared for 150 institutes to receive Rs0.8m each to build grounds.

PESHAWAR: The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government has released Rs240 million to provide sports kits to 2,400 government schools across the province. 

Various projects are in the pipeline to boost the learning process at government schools in K-P, Minister for Elementary and Secondary Education Muhammad Atif Khan told The Express Tribune on Monday.

He said they selected 2,400 high schools and Rs100,000 have been released to each to purchase the sports kits. “Not only kits; space will also be provided for recreational activities.”

Khan said the department has also prepared a summary of 150 schools where sports grounds will be established. Rs0.8 million will be given to each of the schools to set up the grounds.

The basic aim of this initiative, he said, is to motivate students at government schools and ensure they learn in a healthy environment. Khan said previous governments did not pay attention to government-run schools whereas the current government have made education reforms their first priority.

He added they provided vehicles to education department officials. Khan said they also allocated Rs800 million to train teachers.

“We have also formed the Independent Monitoring Unit to keep a check on the workings of education department and schools.”

When asked if sports kits should be distributed among students in primary schools to encourage them to come to school. Khan said the decision was taken after long discussions with education experts.

Centre for Governance and Public Accountability Programme Manager Malik Masood appreciated the efforts of PTI government for education in the province.

“If the government wants to bring down the ratio of children who are out of school then they should focus on improving the condition of primary schools,” said Masood.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 31^st, 2015.