Claims Rs295b would have been required if traditional way adopted
Amraiz Khan
Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar on Saturday unveiled a revolutionary phase-wise programme for the up-gradation of 27,512 Primary and Elementary schools across Punjab at a whopping cost of Rs 50 billion, saying that first phase of the programme will be started from August 1, and 4 million students will be benefited from this programme.
Addressing a press conference here on Saturday, CM Sardar Usman Buzdar said that promotion of education is the top priority of the incumbent government for which no stone will be left unturned.
The government will continue to make all-out efforts for the promotion of education.
In the first phase from the 1st of August, 21,000 Primary schools will be upgraded to Elementary level at a cost of Rs17 billion.
In the second phase of this programme, 6,653 elementary schools will be upgraded to a high school level.
According to the procedure and keeping in view the number of students Elementary classes will be held in existing Primary schools and there will be secondary classes in the second shift of Elementary schools.
He said that only teachers and staff will be paid honorarium instead of changing the civil structure.
6653 computers and science labs will be set up for the students of 9th and 10th class in Elementary schools.
Usman Buzdar further maintained that Rs 295 billion would have been required if the government adopted a traditional way of upgrading schools. This project will save Rs245 billion, he added. T
he 27,517 schools in the first and second phase of this project include 11501 schools from Central Punjab, 5402 from Northern Punjab and 10614 primary and elementary schools from Southern Punjab.
Usman Buzdar further stated that the ratio of Southern Punjab’s schools to be upgraded under this programme is 38%.
The Chief Minister assured that there is no need for political recommendation or affiliation for the up-gradation of schools.
Responding to questions, the CM said that distance is the main obstacle to sending the girls to school in villages. Teachers do not need to go anywhere for transfer as e-Transfer has been introduced.
He further stated that the government was more focused on the health sector due to the Corona pandemic. The project of constructing classrooms will also be completed.
The Chief Minister said that the revenue system would not only be computerized but also digitized. He further stated that 127 vaccination centres are being operated in Punjab.
Provincial Education Minister Dr Murad Ras informed that after the e-Transfer of teachers, online retirement, Leave and promotion system will also be implemented by December 2021.
Special Assistant Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, Secretary Education, Secretary Information and other officials were also present on the occasion.
Meanwhile, Chief Whip in National Assembly Malik Muhammad Amir Dogar MNA called on Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar.
Karamat Khokhar MNA was also present on this occasion.
Matters regarding mutual interest, development projects and affairs of the Southern Punjab Secretariat came under discussion during the meeting.
The Chief Minister said that the setting up of the Southern Punjab Secretariat is on the credit of the PTI government.
The Southern Punjab Secretariat is being further strengthened and empowered, he added.
