Punjab: CM says 288 modern schools being setup

[Naveed Yaseen]

CHIEF Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said the government was taking solid steps for promotion of quality education in the province.

Presiding over a meeting regarding setting up of fully equipped schools in the province titled “Centres of Excellence School Project,” here on Monday, he said 288 schools equipped with modern facilities were being set up at tehsil level with a cost of Rs 5 billion.

Haroon Khawaja, Chairman P&D, Secretary Higher Education, Secretary Finance, Secretary Communication and Additional Inspector General Police were present on the occasion. Shahbaz Sharif said that 144 schools would be completed in the first phase and priority would be given to backward areas.

He said that those schools would also be included in the project from where male and female students had obtained distinction in examinations. The CM directed the authorities concerned to ensure timely and quality completion of the schools and said that he would personally review pace of the work of the project on monthly basis while a special team headed by Chairman P&D has been constituted, which would review the weekly performance.

The chief minister said that setting up of modern and quality schools in the province was an important step of the Punjab government and under this project, one school each for boys and girls would be established in every tehsil.

Modern computer lab, internet, E-Library, hostel and other necessary facilities would be made available in these schools, he added. He directed that in addition to DG Khan, Rajanpur,

Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar,Lodhran, Muzaffargarh and Bhakkar districts, all tehsils of southern Punjab be included in the first phase of the project.

Similarly, he said the schools where male and female position holders in examinations had studied would also be included in the first phase. He said that besides quality academic facilities, fully furnished hostel will also be provided for students so that they could continue their studies with peace of mind.

He also issued instructions for increasing the hostel capacity to 300 students from 150 students provided by the department. He said that these schools will work under Board of Governors of which respective DCO would be the chairman while the parents of students who had participated in educational and social activities would be appointed as Vice Chairmen.

Shahbaz Sharif further said that these schools would be completed this year and Secretary C&W would supervise the construction work. He directed Secretaries of C&W and Higher Education departments to complete this project with commitment and dedication and evolve a foolproof system for ensuring transparency and quality construction.

He warned that no excuse for delay in construction of schools would be entertained as billions of rupees had been wasted in the past due to delay and corruption in the execution of development projects.

He directed that completion of all these projects be ensured within stipulated period. He said that C&W department was equally guilty of delay in the implementation of development projects. He said that agreements be made with prominent companies for the provision of information technology in these schools and Information Technology Department should also be included in the process.

He further said that services of trainers should also be acquired while signing agreements with these firms and they should also be given the responsibility of maintenance of computers and other equipment for six months.

He said that Schools Management Committees and Sports Board should jointly work for the grounds and trees in these schools. He said that setting up of these schools would not only improve the standard of education but also result in academic facilities to the male and female students of backward and remote areas.

He directed Chairman P&D, Secretary Higher Education and Secretary Communication and Works to complete this project efficiently. He directed the Chairman Text Book Board to ensure timely provision of textbooks in the province to students at affordable rates.

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