December 07, 2008	Sunday	Zilhaj 8, 1429

MANSEHRA, Dec 6: Provincial Minister for Food Shuja Salim Khan on Saturday said that despite spending Rs900 per month on a student of primary class, the results of government educational institutions were disappointing as compared to private schools.

“Pakistan is among those countries where the dropout ratio is higher at the primary level and the performance of government schools is highly deplorable,” he said while speaking at the annual parents’ day function here at the Jinnah Collages and Basic School.

Among others Minister for Revenue Habibur Rehman Tanoli, principal Mohammad Fiaz Swati, college administrator Faraz Khan Swati, executive director Saiban Development Organisation Sahibzada Jawad were also present on the occasion.

The food minister said that it was astonishing to think how the country with such a huge dropout rate, particularly among girls, would face the future challenges.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Tanoli said that it was not the time when any country could claim of superiority until it was exhibited by it. “If we want to compete with America, we have to develop our educational system and enhance the literacy rate to cent per cent, without it we should forget every thing and glorious past of Muslims,” he said.

He asked the students to memorise the services of great people like Sir Syed Ahmad Khan and follow their mission not only for their own benefits but also for the development of the country. —Correspondent