Punjab government proposes to enhance education budget to Rs 23.3 billion
HASSAN ABBAS
LAHORE (June 15 2010): The Punjab government has proposed to enhance the education budget for the financial year 2010-11 to Rs 23,300 million as compared to the last year's provision of Rs 21,525 million in the revised budget of 2009-2010. A substantial amount of Rs 6350 million has been allocated for the year 2010-11 for completion of maximum ongoing schemes and initiation of new schemes especially in college education.
According to the budget document, major initiatives have been taken in the budget includes Internal Merit Scholarship for Professional Students and to recognize the recognize the brilliance of talented students, a scheme for grant of scholarship for professional students has been included in the Development Programme 2010-11.
The focus of the government is on the primary and secondary education and the government is committed to provide science labs in secondary schools and to improve existing science labs in secondary schools and to strengthen practical education, about 1000 high and higher secondary schools having highest enrolment will be provided quality science equipment in the first phase. Standardised practical books will also be developed under this scheme.
Punjab Government has embarked upon a comprehensive plan to enhance the quality college education with special focus on improvement of physical infrastructure of Colleges. To complete the schemes under Punjab Education Sector Reform Program (PESRP) Phase-l, an allocation of Rs 1132 million has been earmarked for the provision of missing facilities and in other colleges an amount of Rs 1337.247 million has been allocated.
Higher Education Department has also decided to introduce 4-Years Bachelor Program in the public sector colleges throughout the province. For the purpose 26 colleges has been identified so far. The scheme would be extended to all the colleges of the province in] coming years.
In order to promote Higher Education in the Province it has been decided to provide graduate facility to all the colleges at District Headquarters, for this purpose, 24 sites have been identified where post graduate facility is not available either for male or for female populations area.
The government is committed to develop an enlightened and prosperous Punjab with improved governance, equitable access, quality education and ensuring achievement of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015. The primary focus is on the poor quality education in the Province. In order to better equip the students with I.T. Education, 515 I.T. labs are being established in elementary schools in 2010-11.
Daanish School and Center of Excellence Authority has been established recently in 2010. Fifteen Daanish Schools will be established and 72 existing schools will be converted into Centers of Excellence in Phase-l. Poorest of the poor will get education of International Standards in these institutions.
Punjab Educational Endowment Fund (PEEF) is an initiative of the Government of Punjab with the objective of providing scholarships/monetary assistance to talented and needy students for pursuing quality education with equal opportunities. To make it more efficient, transparent and autonomous in its functioning, the fund has been established under Section 42 of the Companies Ordinance, 1984.
PEEF was established initially with the seed money of Rs 2 billion. In 2009-10, Rs 2 billion were provided for the fund. In 2010-11, an amount of Rs 2 billion would also be added to the fund. Special treatment will be given to the students of fifteen less developed districts of the Southern Punjab.
Special quotas for orphans, children of Government employees (up to BS-14), disabled, minorities and widows have also been allocated. Bright and needy students of other provinces including Azad Kashmir will also be provided opportunities for higher education through this programme.
For the especial education Government is trying to create conducive learning environment for the disabled) so as to make them useful, self supportive and self reliant members of the society and to use their potential and skills in various spheres of life. A block provision with an estimated Rs 500 million has been made available in Development Program 2010-11.
The Special Education Department, on the analogy of School Education Department, intends to establish computer labs in all centers and schools for special students. Like normal students all the disabled ie Hearing Impaired, Visually Impaired, Physically Disabled, Slow learners and even Mentally Retarded students can benefit immensely and tremendously from I.T/Computer Technology/Internet, etc as supportive devices and soft wares make learning easy and even help rehabilitate special students.
In the ADP 2010-11, an amount of Rs 100 million has been allocated for the Pilot project. After successful completion of the pilot scheme, a full fledge scheme will be launched in this regard. Government of the Punjab intends to establish an International Standard Rehabilitation Centre for Disabled with approximate cost of Rs 1000 million. In this regard a Company under Article 42 of the Companies Ordinance has been established and funds amounting to Rs 100 million have already been transferred.
Eradication of illiteracy is critical for achievement of Millennium Development Goals. To provide yet another opportunity for out of school population to return to education, special efforts are being made. For this purpose, an allocation of Rs 800 million has been made in the development program 2010-11. The major projects are campaign for enhancement of literacy in four districts of Punjab Literacy Program (ALCs & NFBE Schools in 31 districts), Punjab Literacy and Livelihood Programs and establishment of 300 Adult Literacy Centers and 200 NFBE Schools at Brick Kiln areas.
