KARACHI, Jan 6: Federal government has released a sum of Rs39.9 million to the Sindh Education Foundation for establishing computer labs, hiring of qualified IT faculty and setting up the schools management committees at 300 private schools and over 100 Madaris in the province.

Talking to PPI on Tuesday, SEF Programmes Director Mashood Rizvi said that under the three-year programme, the foundation would identify 300 private schools and 100 religious Madaris in rural and slum areas of Sindh to establish computer labs and SMCs at these and arrange staff for IT education.

The funds provided by the federal government would be spent in three years for starting computer literacy programmes in private schools and Madaris in Karachi, Hyderabad, Khairpur, Thatta, Dadu and Badin districts, he added.

Mr Rizvi said in 2004, Rs10 million would be spent on computer education and formation of SMCs at 82 private schools and 27 Madaris, while in 2005, programme would be extended to 117 private schools and 40 Madaris with Rs15 million, and in 2006, 101 schools and 33 Madaris would be provided technical and financial assistance of Rs14.9 million for above mentioned facilities.

He maintained that the foundation had selected 50 schools and 25 Madaris in Karachi, 125 schools and 25 Madaris in Hyderabad, 50 schools and an equal number of Madaris in Khairpur, and 25 schools each in Thatta, Dadu and Badin under the programme.

As far as Madaris were concerned, the SEF had written a letter to Sindh Home department, asking for their clearance and provision of a list of "safe" Madaris for providing educational and administrative facilities, he said.

He maintained that initial survey on the project would commence from Jan 15, which would be completed by April 2004. "The idea behind formation of SMCs is to monitor use of funds, equipment and faculty, provided to these private schools and Madaris," he said, adding that if the project proved a success, the number of schools and Madaris would be enhanced.-PPI