Rana Mashud speaks at learning conference on girls drop out from schools

Lahore: Provincial Minister for Education Rana Mashud Ahmad Khan said that political point securing was never part of priorities of Pakistan Muslim League-N government. He said that Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif is focusing to the provision of quality education in the province. He said that Punjab government is utilizing all out resources for promotion of education as without achieving the educational standard of developed countries, poverty, unemployment and curable diseases cannot be eliminated from Pakistan.

He said this while addressing “Learning Conference on Girls Drop out from Schools” held under the aegis of Awaz Foundation of Pakistan at a local hotel, here today. Rana Mashhood while appreciating the services of NGOs in promotion of education said that public-private partnership is essential for the uplift of education sector. He said that Punjab Education Foundation is bringing educational revolution in Punjab in this regard. He said that PEF is providing stipend of Rs.500 per month to 15 lakh deserving students in low-cost private educational institutions for meeting educational expenses whereas 3300 more schools are being set up in collaboration with private sector.

The Education Minister said that Punjab government has also taken revolutionary steps for girls education and a special stipend of Rs.500 is being given to the parents admitting their daughters in primary schools. He said that early childhood centers have greatly helped in achieving millennium development goals. He said that last year United Nations has given Pakistan a target of admission to 28 lakh more children whereas Punjab government enrolled 43 lakh children. He said that this year target of 34 lakh children was given but Punjab government achieved this target by providing enrollment to 45 lakh more children.

Chairman Standing Committee on Education Engineer Qamar-ul-Islam Raja, MPA Abdul Razzaq Dhilon, Additional Secretary Schools Education Punjab Mehmood-ul-Hassan and Chief Executive Awaz Foundation Muhammad Zia-ur-Rehman also addressed the conference.