September 6, 2003	Saturday	Rajab 8, 1424

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ISLAMABAD, Sept 5: An amount of Rs1 billion is being transferred to the education foundations, departments and divisions for mainstreaming of Madaris in the country.

This was stated by Federal Minister for Education Zobaida Jalal here on Friday while briefing women parliamentarians on the ongoing Education Sector Reforms (ESR).

She said besides focusing on formal education sector, the ministry was paying equal attention to narrow the gap between the mainstream and Madressah education systems.

The grant package for mainstreaming of Madressahs includes introduction of core subjects like mathematics, science, English, social studies, economics, computer science and Pakistan studies; teachers’ salaries, teachers’ training, free books, computers and other related equipment.

Under the project, funds will only be earmarked for a period of three years for each Madressah.

In the meantime, she said, operational modalities of projects for streamlining of Madressahs would also be finalized through provincial and national consultations.

She informed women parliamentarians representing all major political parties that the ministry had worked out an incentive package for civil society organizations and private sector working in the education sector.

She said the government would provide land in both urban and rural areas free or at concessional rates to help the private sector. Provision of concessional financing for rural/urban schools through education foundations and credit institutions like Khushhali Bank and First Women Bank is also there, she added.

Ms Jalal said regulatory ordinances for privately-managed schools had already been issued by Sindh and the NWFP governments, while that for Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) was under preparation.

Talking about the challenges the ministry had underlined, the minister said harmonization of various education systems was at the top of the list. Upgraded and credible data gathering and indicator monitoring systems, governance and sustained partnership between planners and service providers would also be taken care of by the education ministry.

Ms Jalal talked about a number of projects the ministry was undertaking in collaboration with international donor agencies.

During the question-answer session, women parliamentarians contended that though the ministry was claiming that it was spending billions of rupees for uplifting education standards in the country, the situation remained unchanged on the ground.

They (parliamentarians) were of the view that the government should focus more on curriculum changes to keep pace with the everchanging education standards.

In response to a question, the minister said from now onward teachers would be recruited on contract basis as she was of the view that this would help improve teachers’ attendance rate especially in the rural areas.