Gilgit-Baltistan plans setting up education foundation

Lahore: A three-member delegation of the government of Gilgit-Baltistan led by secretary education Sanaullah visited the head office of Punjab Education Foundation (PEF).

On the occasion, Managing Director (PEF) Tariq Mahmood briefed the GB delegation about the scope of work and performance of the foundation in providing free education to the impecunious strata. He said that this foundation has emerged as the largest free educational program in the whole of Pakistan which has won international accolades and recognition.

Today, PEF is providing free schooling facilities to 1.9 million deserving students through a network of 6049 partner schools in 36 districts.

Tariq Mahmood said that besides provision of education to the able bodied students, inclusive education project has also been launched for the physically challenged students. 25 hundred children with minor disabilities have already been admitted under this project, he told.

Similarly, education vouchers have been issued to more than three lakh destitute students to study in partner schools of choice. He further told that district level monitoring mechanism has also been put in place for ensuring smooth and transparent partnership.

Earlier, Chairman PEF Qamar ul Islam Raja termed the Punjab Education Foundation as the ‘success story’ of Pakistan that has benefited the poverty-stricken families.

On the occasion, GB secretary education said that their government has decided to establish en education foundation to help the needy children to study. For this purpose, model of the PEF is being studied. It’s heartening to note that Punjab Education Foundation is the best model of providing free education to the needy children who cannot study on their own, he further said.