Cash-strapped PM education reform project halted

Construction work in 200 schools stopped over non-issuance of funds

ISLAMABAD: The changing political scenario of the country has also put a cap on the much trumpeted government schools’ reforms project that was being spearheaded by Maryam Nawaz.

The Prime Minister Education Reforms Programme has been a victim of non-availability of funds in the federal capital’s government schools.

On the other hand, the contractor working on the modification in second phase has left work incomplete due to non-issuance of funds worth Rs90 million. Due to incomplete work, there is debris, remains of breakage and garbage lying in the schools. Project director Waqas Fareed stated that if in the future funds are allotted, the relevant authorities will try to finish the work by August.



In the budget for 2018-19 the federal government allocated Rs0.845 billion for the renovation and rehabilitation of physical infrastructure of 200 educational institutions under the Prime Minister’s Education Sector Reforms Programme in ICT.

The project was delayed in the outgoing fiscal year with the government failing to release any money for it.

Due to non-issuance of funds the contractors have left the development work incomplete. Project director of the programme told Express News that more than 80 per cent of the work has been completed, due to lack of funds the work speed has slowed down.

“We have done additional work worth Rs50 million from our side as well,” he added. He further stated that if the remaining funds are issued on time, the team will try to complete the work in a few months’ time. As previously announced, the project was expected to be done by previous summer vacations however the work still has not been completed. Due to construction work within school hours, students face health and security issues.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 8^th, 2018.