ISLAMABAD: The education ministry is likely to approach the federal government for funds to build schools on 24 vacant plots in various sectors in the capital or seek permission for the auction of a few plots to generate capital for the construction of new educational institutions.

Sources in the ministry said they wanted the federal government to finance the initiative, but if funding was a problem then they would ask the government for the auction of a few plots to facilitate new schools in the federal capital.

“The idea of the auction of plots is at a very initial stage; we will discuss this proposal along with a proposal for a special grant with the education minister in the next week to move forward,” said an officer of the education ministry. In case, the minister approved the proposal then they would approach the federal government to direct the Capital Development Authority (CDA) for the auction.

These plots were allotted to the ministry by the CDA for the construction of public schools and due to the terms and conditions, these plots needed the CDA’s approval for any type of auction, said another officer. He said the CDA was informally asked about this process and they told the ministry to approach the federal cabinet over the matter.

Officials say federal govt will be asked for money or school plots will be auctioned

According to the official, if the proposal is accepted the matter will be placed before the federal government and if the government allows the auction, then the CDA will be requested for the same. “We don’t want to get ourselves involved in auction so the CDA would be requested for this purpose,” the official said.

On the other hand, officials in the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) told Dawn that there was a need for new schools in the capital. They said the construction of one primary school costs almost Rs60 million.

“If the government allows the auction that’s fine; otherwise, the government should be requested for Rs1 billion for the construction of all 24 schools on vacant plots,” the official said, adding auction of even one plot would be enough for the construction of all schools.

In Islamabad, even a smaller plot is worth billions, the official said, adding the FDE started the construction of six schools in 2019, which had been completed. At the time, one school’s construction had cost Rs42 million, he said, adding that “so as of today, you can say maximum Rs60 million are enough” for the construction of one school.

He said that the auction of a few plots was better than the so-called public-private partnership, adding that ideally, the ministry should seek Rs1 billion for the construction of 24 schools.

The federal government has been generous towards the education ministry, as a couple of years ago, the government at the request of the ministry approved a project of Rs978 million for the out-of-school-children.

Under the project, the ministry doled out Rs5,000 per child to many private schools as well for enrolling these children. “By utilising this Rs978 million, the FDE could have constructed almost 20 new primary schools,” claimed the official.

It is relevant to note that the education ministry and some officials of the FDE last year tried to hand over a school plot measuring 21 kanal, estimated at Rs20 billion, to a private firm under the public-private partnership. The Islamabad High Court granted a stay on this matter. Now, the ministry seemingly is not going to repeat the said model and is looking towards the federal government either for getting funds for the construction of schools or for the auction of some plots.

Published in Dawn, December 26th, 2024