PESHAWAR: Muhammad Atif Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Elementary and secondary education, has said that teacher of a private school in chitral, whose video of punishing students went viral on social media, yesterday, was either not human or had some mental disorders.
The teacher has been arrested immediately and will be made an example said the minister in his program on Pakhtunkhwa Radio Peshawar.
Atif khan said that a robust awareness campaign had been launched to educate students, parents and teachers alike adding that corporal punishment in schools could only be ended through awareness and stern action against those involved.
Highlighting government`s reforms in the education sector, Atif Khan said that present government was making huge allocation to the education sector which was a proof of present government`s commitment towards education.
In addition to 25000 teachers recruited on pure merit, some 15000 more will be appointed in a month or so whereas the same number will be appointed next year as well The minister claimed.
Muhammad Atif khan said political people never want to share their powers but I as a minister don`t have the power to appoint a teacher or have a say in any appointment . The minister challenged that none could point out a single example of appointment in violation of the merit.
About teachers training the minister said that the government was about to enter an agreement with British Council for teachers training and only qualifying teachers would be left whereas those failing would be sent home under golden handshake.
Responding to a question about female literacy rate, the minister said that education was equally needed for both males and females however added that female education could play a more positive role in upbringing of their kids, thus leading to a developed society. He said that of the new schools 70 per cent will be meant for female whereas 30 percent will serve male students.
We have also established 1400 girls community schools with the help of local communities. He mentioned. Atif khan also disclosed that the first ever girls cadet college will be established in the province where females would get training.
Responding to a question regarding science laboratories Atif Khan said that present government had allocated Rs. 17 billion for construction of boundary walls, washrooms, extra rooms and provision of equipment which he said was unprecedented in the history. Muhammad atif revealed that work on 500 school laboratories was near completion.
Asked about ghost schools, the minister said of the ghost schools some 461 had been made functional whereas the rest if any will be dealt with strictly.
About government`s enrollment campaign and capacity of schools, Atif Khan said some schools had the space problem whereas in most of the schools free space was being utilized for extension and additional facilities adding that 34000 students had been shifted from private schools to government schools which were a very encouraging indicator of public trust on government schools.
He went on saying that some 200 demand driven smart schools were in progress adding that decade`s long problems could not be overcome in a day or two however expressed hope that initiatives of the PTI led government would bring fruits in the near future.
