As enrolment is on the rise and CADD is considering abolishing evening shifts, the noose is tightening around the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) for construction of new schools. PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD: The Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) 2014-15 appears to be out-of-sync with the rising demand for more schools and colleges in the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT).
The Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD)’s proposal for 25 new projects has been summed up in one project titled ‘establishment/uplifting of eight schools in ICT’, in the PSDP 2014-15.
Documents available with The Express Tribune show that the CADD submitted a proposal of Rs240 million for eight new schools but could get only Rs150 million approved by the Planning Commission.
As enrolment is on the rise and CADD is considering abolishing evening shifts, the noose is tightening around the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) for construction of new schools.
“After the government has announced free education for all and is abolishing evening shifts, there is a need for more schools and colleges. But there is not enough budgetary allocation for that,” said a disgruntled CADD official.
He said the Departmental Development Working Party and the Central Development Working Party had also approved the CADD proposals for new schools in the ICT.
Institute of Social and Policy Sciences (ISAPS) Research Fellow Ahmad Ali, in a presentation to parliamentarians last year, had said Islamabad will need 85 new schools, 4,072 new classrooms and 4,568 more teachers in the ICT primary, middle, and secondary schools and colleges in the next 15 years.
FDE Director Administration Ashraf Nadeem says a number of schools and colleges are in poor shape and need uplifting. For instance, he said, Islamabad Model School for Girls G-7/1 and G-7/2 both lack boundary walls.
He said there are some 55 schools and colleges that either have no boundary wall or need repairs.
However, allocations for the new fiscal year are far better than previous year’s. Last year, about Rs22 million were allocated for only two projects. This year, Rs749.34 million have been included in the PSDP.
The new projects include Rs200 million for computer and science laboratories at ICT high schools and establishment of a federal government college of home economics, management sciences, and specialised disciplines in F-11/1 at a cost of Rs200 million, while six other projects are about uplifting of three schools and colleges.
CADD spokesperson Rafique Tahir told The Express Tribune that the upcoming PSDP will be the best budget for the division and education institutions of the capital. “The Planning Commission has not turned down any CADD proposal,” he claimed.
About listing all of the projects of construction and uplifting of schools under one head, Tahir said it was for the ease of the CADD so that the Accountant General of Pakistan Revenues could not delay approval of funds.
He said the establishment of science and computer labs at the high schools was the personal initiative by Planning and Development Minister Ahsan Iqbal.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 2nd, 2014.
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Establishing computer labs is much better than doling out laptops to individual students. Desktop computers are cheaper to buy than laptops and they have standardized parts that can be swapped in and out so maintenance is cheaper. Within the lab resources can be shared. For example a high speed internet connection, a file server and a networked printer. You can have a UPS for backup power and the whole lab can be managed by technically trained staff.
A single desktop may be used by a number of students over the course of a typical school day as they move in and out of computer classes or work on assignments. It is possible for teachers to conduct classes in the lab and teach students to make productive use of their computer time. Without the right practical knowledge a computer isn't much use.