Academic revolution: Government focusing on education, says PM Nawaz

Directs HEC to grant Rs1 billion to Islamia College Peshawar

PESHAWAR/ISLAMABAD:

The government is focusing on the promotion of education in an effort to prepare the youth to cope with the challenges of the contemporary world, said PM Nawaz Sharif on Friday.

Speaking at the centenary celebrations of Islamia College Peshawar, he urged the students to focus their energies on gaining knowledge and exploring modern fields to serve the nation.

The premier said he had dedicated the day for the cause of education and mentioned the launch of his Education Reforms Programme, which aims to renovate 422 schools in the federal capital.

He said the government was revolutionising education through improved curriculum, teachers’ training and facilities. The PM also called upon the provincial governments to follow suit and introduce similar educational initiatives in their respective provinces.

He said the government was committed to eradicating terrorism from the country and had hit the militants hard.

Lauding the services of armed forces, police and political administration for keeping peace, the premier said the security situation had improved considerably in most parts of the country.

Islamia College has the rare privilege of being visited by Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah thrice.

PM Nawaz directed the Higher Education Commission to issue a grant of Rs1 billion for the college to complete its different educational projects. He also announced Rs50 million for the welfare of students and teachers of the institution.

Education reforms

The premier also launched the Education Reform Initiative by inaugurating the first of the 422 renovated educational institutions in Panjgaran, Chak Shahzad.

Speaking at the ceremony, he vowed his commitment to ensure every child of school-going age got quality education and served the nation as a useful citizen. “Education is the basic right of every child, and I am fully committed to ensuring every child in Pakistan gets access to it,” he said.

Apart from improving school buildings, the programme focuses on teachers’ training and a revised, modern curriculum. All educational institutions in the federal capital will be monitored through a computerised system while biometric systems would ensure staff attendance. The upgrades would also enable parents to keep in touch with schools through email and SMS.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 12^th,  2015.