Sikh children have turbans tied over their heads during a gathering for World Turban Day. PHOTO: AFP/FILE.
The Baba Guru Nanak School of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics (STEAM) for the Sikh community-based in Peshawar was inaugurated by the Special Assistant to Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Chief Minister on Science and Information Technology Kamran Bangash and Adviser to the K-P Chief Minister on Education Ziaullah Bangash.
Addressing the gathering, they said that the Science and Information Technology Department should provide equal opportunities for all sections of society irrespective of their religious affiliation in all schools in the province.
Addressing the ceremony, Kamran said that the school is a gift from the K-P government to the indigenous Sikh community to mark the 550 anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak.
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He further said that the minority community of the province is enjoying their rights on a par with the majority community members.
“We are striving to improve the country’s economy by combining members of the Muslim, Sikh, Christian, Hindu communities and those from other faiths in the race for the country’s united development,” Kamran said.
He added that education activities in the school will start on Monday.
K-P has an excellent mindset to move forward in the fields of science and IT, Kamran said, adding that laying the groundwork for the digital market is one of their top priorities.
He added that the digital transformation will help create greater employment opportunities and in turn help reduce poverty.
The special assistant added that Prime Minister Imran Khan had directed the use of all available resources to make Pakistan a welfare state. The best example of this is how the country marked the 550th anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji by opening the Kartarpur Corridor and creating interfaith harmony.
Kamran added that information technology training will not be limited to Peshawar alone but will soon be offered in other districts of the province as well in the form of STEAM schools so that everyone can contribute to the development of the country.
Ziaullah said that the government will continue its efforts to facilitate minorities in getting an education and all basic amenities.
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Terming the school success of the provincial Science and IT Department, he said, that it will provide members of the Sikh community education in critical subjects such as science, technology, arts and mathematics.
“In the educational sector, wherever there is scope, the best facilities should be provided to the minority communities,” he said.
The education adviser added that his department will also work to build more institutions on the model of the Baba Guru Nanak School so that a better image of K-P can be presented to the world.
On the occasion, Ziaullah announced to give the boys middle school in Mohalla Jogan Shah the status of high school.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 16th, 2019.
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