Rs15b to be spent on building classrooms: Shahbaz

CM approves Khadim-i-Punjab Schools Programme

LAHORE: Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Saturday approved the Khadim-i-Punjab Schools Programme under which additional classrooms would be constructed at schools. The chief minister chaired a meeting in which he also approved design of the classrooms.

He told the participants that thousands of classrooms would be constructed at a cost of Rs15 billion. He said the classrooms would be built in 16 southern Punjab districts on a priority basis. “The provincial government has been working on a programme aimed at providing quality education and missing facilities at schools.”



He said that besides building additional classrooms, the government was renovating school buildings that were in a dilapidated condition. He said the authorities concerned would make sure that quality standards were maintained in the construction of the classrooms.

The chief minister directed that companies with good repute be hired for the purpose. “Public money must be spent transparently.” He said that a steering committee had been formed to monitor progress on the scheme.

“Promotion of education is the key to progress. We cannot attain the goal of progress unless we equip the youth with quality education… that is why the provincial government always gives priority to steps aimed at ensuring good schooling across the province,” Sharif said.

The chief minister said the efforts were bearing fruit and had already helped lift the standards of education. A proposal to construct ‘smart classrooms’ at primary and middle schools was also considered.

Earlier, the communication and works secretary gave a briefing on the Khadim-i-Punjab Schools Programme.



Education Minister Rana Mashhood Ahmad, Finance Minister Ayesha Ghaus Pasha, the Planning and Development Board chairman, the secretaries of School Education, Local Government and Health Departments, the Punjab Information Technology Board chairman and the National Engineering Services of Pakistan managing director attended the meeting. Minister Tanvir Aslam Malik participated in the meeting via video link from the Commissioner’s Office in Rawalpindi.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 14^th, 2016.