Pakhtunkhwa: 4.948 million students to get free textbooks

The provincial government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will distribute free text-books in 4.948 million students for the upcoming academic year and amount of Rs.1.62 billion has been allocated in this regard. The inauguration ceremony of the distribution of free books was held in Text Book Board, Hayatabad with Provincial Minister for Elementary and Secondary Education, Sardar Hussein Babak as chief guest. Besides, chairman, Text-Book Board, academicians, teachers, students and parents attended the ceremony. Addressing the ceremony, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Elementary and Secondary Education, Sardar Hussein Babak said the government has given priority to education sector and had initiated many measures for the promotion of education. He said the government besides establishment of schools, colleges and universities has also awarding scholarships and distributing free text-books from nursery to intermediate level students of all public sector schools in the province. Minister said like previous year, on the directives of the provincial government, Text-Book Board had prepared plenty of text-books, whose delivery and provision to all districts would be completed by April 2, 2013 The printing and delivery of the books will cost Rs.1619.743 million. The distribution will be carried out under the supervision of Education Sector Reforms Unit, district and circle officials of Elementary & Secondary Education department to ensure timely and transparent delivery of books to children.