LAHORE, Nov 11: Artisans have been neglected over the years and the culture ministry is planning a school of traditional arts for them, says Information, Culture and Youth Affairs Secretary Oriya Maqbool Jan.

Talking to Dawn, Jan said the planned school would give artisans degrees. He said a few artisans had been left and now there was a need to produce their new generation. He said the government would facilitate artisans in their studies and provide raw material to the school. He said the school would teach fresco, stucco tracy, petra dora, calligraphy, tile mosaic and other techniques.

The official said that master artisans would be asked to teach at the school and books would be published on the skills of artisans. He said a proposal was being prepared on syllabus and library for the school.

Jan was the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony of a 10-day tile mosaic workshop at Lahore Fort. The workshop has been organised by Unesco in collaboration with Getty Foundation and the Punjab government.

Speaking on the occasion, Jan said the government would extend every kind of cooperation for the welfare and betterment of artisans. He said artisans could play a role in restoring and decorating monuments. He said the workshop would be of great value as it would give young artisans an opportunity to learn about tile mosaic in detail.

National Project Coordinator for Unesco Talib said modern architecture in cities affected artisans who used to decorate old styled houses. He said since the government did not pay them much they were facing economic problems.

Northern Circle Director Saleemul Haq shed light on the history and background of tile mosaic.

Former NCA principal Sajida Wandal and Punjab Archeology Department Director Shahbaz Khan also spoke on the occasion.