JHANG, Sept 17: The education department officials are planning to conduct surprise visits to schools particularly in the rural areas of the district to check the presence of the teaching staff and monitor their performance.

This was stated by Jhang education district officer while talking to newsmen here on Friday. He said the step was being taken in the wake of complaints that most of the teachers remained absent in the schools.

The EDO said that all the teaching and administrative staff of the schools had been strictly directed to make their availability at their places of posting during duty hours to avoid stern punishment.

He further said that he would personally monitor the examination results of the educational institutions and action would be taken against the head and subordinate teaching staff for the poor performance. While the institutions showing good results would be rewarded with cash prizes and letters of appreciation.

His department, he said, shall leave no stone unturned to implement the priorities set by the government in the field of education. He said the government was determined to raise the literacy rate and the standard of education by taking administrative and reformative measures in the educational system of the country. For this purpose, he said a large share of national resources were being allocated to spent on education.

The government was also taking attractive and revolutionary steps to provide basic educational facilities to the students near their homes, and awarding of scholarships and free distribution of books among the deserving students, he added.