29 January 2004	Thursday	06 Zilhaj 1424

LAHORE, Jan 28: The World Bank will spend Rs7 billion for the provision of essential facilities in several schools of the Punjab during the next four years under its educational support reforms.

This was stated by Governor Khalid Maqbool on Wednesday. He was speaking at a ceremony held at the Governor's House to distribute certificates among the students of 105 schools, run by Ibne Sina Educational Movement, who got distinctions.

The governor said that pilot projects in Mandi Bahauddin, Khushab, Khanewal and Dera Ghazi Khan tehsils had been initiated to attain 100 per cent literacy rate.

The strength of 3,224 literacy centres would be increased to 4,216 within the next one year. The government would establish 104 early childhood literacy centres to provide 100 per cent school access to children between five to seven years of age. "During the next one year, the number of feeder schools will be increased to 338," he added. - APP