GILGIT, Feb 18: The education department has laid down the criteria for opening new primary and higher secondary schools, colleges and upgrading intermediate-level colleges in the Northern Areas.

According to sources, a primary school can be opened in a village or mohallah on the basis of population and if the enrolment stands at more than 200 for boys and 150 for girls.

The distance from the nearest school should be 1.5 kilometres for boys and one kilometre for girls, the sources said.

At least one kanal of land is required for the construction of a primary school and the covered area of the building should be 1,500 square feet, they said.

Boys’ enrolment for middle schools, including feeding units, have been fixed at 200 in urban areas and 100 in rural areas, while it is 150 for girls in urban areas and 75 and above for rural areas.

If a middle school is to be upgraded to high school standard, the enrolment in the rural areas should be 150 and above for boys and at least 100 students for girls.

In urban areas, enrolment consisting of 250 and above for boys and 200 for girls would be considered, they said.

For the opening of an intermediate college, they said, enrolment should not be less than 300 in urban areas and 250 in rural areas for secondary classes.

They said the opening of an intermediate college would be considered in tehsil headquarters and union council basis.

For upgrading of an intermediate college to degree level, the sources said, enrolment should not be less than 75 in urban areas and 50 in rural areas for intermediate classes.