Design for six Daanish schools okayed

Three of each allocated for Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK)

ISLAMABAD:

The Planning Commission, in its Central Development Working Party (CDWP) meeting, has approved the immediate design and project preparation for six Daanish Schools, with three each allocated for Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).

The Planning Commission endorsed the Ministry of Federal Education’s proposal, recognising the federal responsibility to support unique educational initiatives in GB and AJK. The commission also appreciated the ministry’s viewpoint that the existing development framework must address the national educational emergency issues in G-B, AJK, and the newly merged districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P).

The Ministry of Federal Education will act as the sponsoring agency, in co-ownership with the G-B and AJK governments. Site selection will be conducted in consultation with regional authorities.

The Ministry of Education will ensure the inclusion of regional government representatives in its project monitoring unit for effective oversight. Upon completion, the projects will be handed over to the respective area governments, adopting a governance model similar to existing cadet colleges.

Admissions will be open to poor and bright students, aiming to establish these schools as centres of excellence in their regions. A detailed design will be presented to the Planning Commission in the coming months.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 23^rd, 2024.