DLP Report
PESHAWAR
The Standing Committee of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly on Elementary and Secondary Education on Monday reviewed the implementation of decisions taken in its previous meeting and discussed issues related to school infrastructure, land disputes, staff transfers, and outsourcing of schools.
The meeting, held at the Provincial Assembly Secretariat, was chaired by committee chairman and MPA Iftikhar Ali Mashwani. Committee members Muhammad Abdul Salam Afridi, Adnan Khan, Ms Sobia Shahid, Ms Shehla Bano, and Ms Nilofer Babar attended the session. Officials from the Elementary and Secondary Education Department, Law Department, Planning and Development Department, Tax Board Peshawar, and the Provincial Assembly Secretariat were also present.
The committee was informed that in several districts, private individuals had occupied land of government schools, claiming ownership on the basis that the land was donated on the condition of appointing a Class-IV employee from their family. The committee directed the department to submit a detailed district-wise record of all such cases in the next meeting.
Responding to a question by Ms Nilofer Babar, officials said repair work and construction of new classrooms were underway in schools in district Chitral, adding that work on five schools had already been completed. Ms Sobia Shahid drew attention to the deteriorating condition and insufficient capacity of school buildings constructed in 1960 in district Dir and called for their immediate reconstruction.
Replying to a query by MPA Muhammad Abdul Salam Afridi, the secretary of the department stated that teachers and office staff in grades 12 to 18 who had completed two years at the same school or district would be transferred in line with the approved transfer policy.
The committee was further informed that the provincial cabinet had approved the outsourcing of 200 schools, while 500 schools were being brought under the system in the first phase to enhance enrolment and improve education standards.
Chairman Tax Board Peshawar told the committee that savings of Rs34 million had been achieved this year through efficient printing of textbooks.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Mr Mashwani directed that all dilapidated school buildings and classrooms across the province be demolished and replaced with new and safe structures to avert any potential mishaps.
