World Teachers’ Day: School enrolment up by 4.5 million

In appreciation, teachers to get special discount cards

BAHAWALPUR: The total number of students enrolled in schools of Punjab has risen from 8 million to 12.5 million because of the untiring efforts of teachers, said Punjab Education Minister Rana Mashood Ahmad on Wednesday.

While addressing as the chief guest at a ceremony held in Islamia University Bahawalpur’s in connection with the World Teachers Day, the minister said considering the increase in the number of students in schools, the construction of 36,000 new classrooms has been approved.

Mashood said teachers played a vital role in the society and their hard work and commitment ensured quality education for the youth. “Teachers are role models for students and should utilise all their abilities to provide quality education and grooming of the children,” he added.

He said appointments of teachers throughout the province have been done on merit and the provincial education department’s budget has been increased by 36%.

Throughout the province, 150,000 teachers have been recruited and now 70,000 more teachers will be appointed, he added. School councils will be activated for overseeing construction work in schools and improving education.

In appreciation of the teachers’ hard work in remote areas, VIP Cards will be issued to them that will allow them to avail discounts up to 50% at pharmacies, diagnostic laboratories, hospitals, doctor appointments, hotels, restaurants and transportation.

Mashood was highly appreciative of the fact that high-achieving students in Punjab hailed from poor families and urged them to continue their education as the government would help them with their studies.

While addressing the audience, Punjab Cooperatives Minister Iqbal Channar said teachers were the saviours of the nation and would take the youth forward. “Throughout the world teachers hold respect. Every individual working in any kind of field is there due to the teachers’ efforts,” he added.

DCO Dr Ehtasham Anwar Mahaar said the district government had taken practical steps to provide VIP status to teachers.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 6^th, 2016.