PESHAWAR, June 14: Senior Minister Sirajul Haq has said that the era of fighting wars with weapons has long ended and now people all over the world arm themselves with knowledge before joining struggles for maintaining their national integrity. Addressing a parents day function at a local school and college on Tuesday, he asked teachers to inculcate true Islamic spirit in children so that they could face modern-day challenges.

Mr Haq said the MMA government was paying attention to improving the education system.

He announced a Rs2.5 million grant for uplift projects at the school and promised that the provincial government would help resolve all financial problems of the institution.

Education Minister Maulana Fazal Ali Haqqani, speaking as chief guest on the occasion, regretted that the federal government had allocated a negligible amount for education.

He announced the construction of a boys hostel for the school, at a cost of Rs7.5 million. It will provide accommodation to 100 students.

The minister said that from next year free books would be provided to students up to matric class in all government schools.

Earlier, Principal Arbab Muhammad Jamil Khan presented a report on the academic performance of the institution during session 2004-05.