PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has decided to launch a new programme for the construction of standardised schools in the province.

Under the programme, 100 high schools with education, facilities and security measures of international standards will be established by June this year, said a handout issued here on Saturday.

According to the handout, the government is to release Rs2 billion for the programme. The decision was made during a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pervez Khattak here.

Approves autonomy for all divisional headquarters hospitals

The participants decided that autonomy would be granted to all divisional headquarters hospitals at fast pace and that all district headquarters hospitals would be upgraded to teaching ones after they’re equipped with the latest facilities.

They also decided about the appointment of members to the board of governors of all medical teaching institutions in the province by February 15.

As said by the handout, these measures are aimed at providing the best possible educational and health facilities to the people on their doorstep so that they don’t need to travel to big cities for the purpose.

The chief minister ordered the establishment of 100 standardised schools and immediate release of funds for it. He stressed the need for completion of the construction and operationalisation of 100 standardised schools during this year, wherein their number and funds will be doubled.

Khattak said all future educational institutions would be built on the same pattern. He ordered the release of Rs500 million each to build boundary walls at and purchase furniture for the existing primary and high schools.

The chief minister examined the steps taken for interior and external security of schools, colleges and universities in the province and said besides Rs1.5 billion, more funds would also be allocated for the security of educational institutions.

The participants also decided that independent monitoring units would be established to check attendance and missing facilities at health centres, including hospitals, to ensure the best possible patient care.

They also approved the start of double shifts of doctors and paramedical staff at basic health units and rural health centres, and formulation of a comprehensive strategy and schedule for it.

The participants decided to involve FWO, NLC and Nespak for the quality and timely construction of schools and hospitals in future saying this will help save time and resources and ensure high standard of construction of such important buildings.

Published in Dawn, February 1st, 2015

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