Pakistan: 50pc state-run schools lack basic facilities, 400 non-functional

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Around 50% of state-run primary schools are deprived of basic facilities of education, while still over 400 schools are non-functional due to various reasons in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This was said by Sameena Imtiaz, executive director PEAD foundation here on Tuesday while addressing a seminar on "Education Policy", organized by Peace Education and Development (PEAD) foundation in collaboration with Action Aid. She said according to annual report 2011-12 of Education Management Information System as many as 45% male and female primary schools do lack electricity, bathrooms, boundary walls and availability of clean drinking water for students. Besides others, the seminar was attended by Hamid Naveed, DG director coordination Education Sector Reforms Unit KP, Shagufta Gul, principal of a private school, Tariq Hayat, programme manager PEAD, representatives of civil society and relevant stakeholders. Sameena Imtiaz further added out of over 27 thousand schools, about 400 educational institutions are not operational while according to Labor Force Survey 2009-10 literacy rate in the province is about 50% including 70% male and 32 female literacy rate. She stated drop out rate from nursery to class 5th is around 45% in the province. Hamid Naveed remarked Teacher Training Information Management System (TTIMS) and Parents Teacher Council networking system is being introduced to enhance the teacher's skills and performance and to make ensure the community participation particularly parents in growth and improvement of education system. He said ESRU has enhanced the administrative and financial role of PTC in the school management system, adding we are working on reviving and developing education sector plan and developing lesson plan according to 2006 drafted curriculum. Hamid Naveed further stated that government was focusing to increase female literacy rate and intend to spend more than 70% resources of annual development program 2012. Under the "Stury Da Khyber Pakhtunkhwa" scheme 63% packages are offered to girls while Rokhana Kur Education Program over age persons would be enrolled in schools. For establishment of probable 500 schools, one billion rupees are allocated for next fiscal year. He stressed on the need of role of civil society particularly parents for improvement of educational system. Other speakers said after 18th amendment people should get its benefits and government should make ensure adhering policies pertaining to education.