Schools reforms: Spread of education can end terrorism and poverty, says minister

Rs2 billion allocated for millennium development goals in education sector.

LAHORE: Access to education is needed to eliminate the challenges of terrorism, poverty and unemployment, Minister for Excise and Taxation, Law and Finance Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman said on Wednesday.

Talking to a youth delegation, the minister said that the government had provided Rs2 billion for achieving millennium development goals in the education sector.

“Under the Punjab Schools Reforms Roadmap, enrolment of every child in a school will be ensured by 2018. The required funds will be provided for the success of the reforms programme,” he said.

He said that 92 per cent attendance of students and teachers had been achieved in government schools. “Earlier, the ratio had been only 60 per cent,” he said.

The minister said that the government would organise the participation of students in fashion design, jewellery, furniture design, painting and fine arts programmes.

He said that Punjab government was utilising all available resources for the promotion of education in art and design sections and to maintain discipline at educational institution.

The minister said that British educationist Sir Michael Barbar had appreciated educational reforms of Punjab government. “He has said that the ratio of attendance of schools in the Punjab is now at a par with British schools,” the minister said.

He said that the government considered promotion of education vital for development. “The government has provided record funds for the Schools and Higher Education Departments,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 28^th, 2015.