PHOTO: Pakmed
PESHAWAR: The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Elementary and Secondary Education department has decided to provide at least 2,600 primary and secondary schools with all kinds of sports equipment. It has also approved the construction of 198 sports grounds in schools in K-P.
According to documents available with The Express Tribune, the K-P government has plans to provide sports equipment in 2,600 schools. Around 500 institutes have already been equipped.The documents stated 87 out of 198 grounds have been constructed in higher and secondary schools.
Speaking to The Express Tribune, primary school teacher Fazal Rabi Khan, from Mardan, appreciated the government’s initiative to provide sports facilities in schools. He said, “Schools in the past comprised two rooms and two teachers, with no area for [children to play in].”
He added, “The K-P government has introduced a new school [infrastructure] system in which each institute will have six rooms, six teachers and a sports ground.” Fazal pointed this initiative will also prove helpful in enrolling children.
“Usually during their break, children can be seen playing in the streets or in rural areas in fields,” he added, “Now students can participate in sports and games on the schools premises.” According to Fazal, his school received sports kits and facilities like swings.
All Primary Teachers Association (APTA) President Malik Khalid Khan said increasing classrooms and constructing sports grounds would help increase the number of students in primary schools.
Criticising the K-P government for not providing the promised funds for security purposes, he said the government should do so at the earliest so measures can be taken in schools.
Malik Khalid added, “We are not criticising the government for providing sports facilities but it should also focus on security.”
Highlighting the importance of sports, Elementary and Secondary Education Minister Muhammad Atif Khan said, “Playing [and participating in sports] is the highest expression of human development and that’s why the government has decided to provide [required infrastructure and goods] to schools.”
He further said, “The K-P government is making every effort to enhance the potential of students and help bring out their hidden talents by providing lands for playgrounds in primary, secondary and higher secondary schools.”
Atif added, “Our main purpose is to encourage children to come to school and to enhance skills.”
Published in The Express Tribune, March 4th, 2016.
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