Improving standards in Gilgit: Cabinet approves Rs30b education policy

GILGIT:

The Gilgit-Baltistan Cabinet has approved an education policy worth Rs30 billion to enhance the standard of education in the region

This was said by G-B Minister for Education and Information Ibrahim Sanai while he was speaking to journalists at his office on Wednesday.

“The policy will [last till] 2030,” he said. “At least Rs30 billion is required for its implementation and the G-B government lacks funds for this venture.” He added, “However, we have agreed to find donors to ensure the implementation of this policy.”

Into the mainstream

According to Sanai, women’s education will be given top priority in the policy. He said the government was facing countless difficulties in providing education to girls in Diamer Valley.

He added, “Diamer is our grey area [as far the education of girls is concern] and the reason for this is the tribal system [prevalent in the valley].”



Sanai added the policy will explore home schooling and other options to ensure girls are educated in the valley.

Going local

The minister said they had also decided to shift the wheat grinding process from Mansehra to G-B. He added the services of flour mills in G-B would be hired from now onwards.

Sanai said the G-B government will follow the policy of the K-P government in hiring people whose relatives died during service. He said, “The K-P government give jobs up to grade-10 on a permanent basis and we would also do that from now onwards.” According to Sanai, at least 219 employees in the G-B food department would be given priority if those posts were to be regularised in future.

He added the G-B Cabinet has approved a new idea to honour those excelling in various fields. The minister said there will be three categories of awards.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 3^rd, 2016.