ISLAMABAD, Sept 12: Over 100,000 schools in the country lack basic facilities such as classrooms, toilets and clean drinking water, said Federal Education Minister Lt-Gen (retired) Javed Ashraf Qazi on Tuesday.

He was speaking at an award distribution ceremony at the National Library auditorium here.

Presidential awards categorised as Izzaz-i-Sabqat, Izzaz-i- Fazeelat and Izzaz-i-Kamal were conferred upon students, teachers and academicians selected from throughout the country for their performance in their respective fields.

“Army has been engaged in surveying such schools throughout the country and after this exercise the missing facilities would be provided in phases,” the minister said, adding this was not an easy task and could not be completed overnight.

The country has both kinds of problems at the school level; in spreading educational institutions to the far-flung areas and ensuring quality education.

About quality of education, he said over the years the country had not kept pace with the changing world. As a result, it has lagged behind in producing skilled manpower mainly due to lack of proper education.

Under the curriculum revision, which is in its final stage, more focus has been given to the technical subjects. Computer education would be made compulsory from class VI, and until a certain grade, mathematics would also be taught.

The minister warned that teachers remaining absent from duty and not taking their responsibilities seriously would be punished, while those producing better results would be rewarded.

He advised students and parents to be very careful in selecting their subjects, as the future was very demanding and mere getting a degree would not help them meet the challenges.

About the new scheme of studies, the minister said it had been worked out with the consent of the provinces. He dispelled the impression that there would be any restrictions on teaching of Pakistan studies and Islamiyat.

In the revised curriculum, Islamiyat would be taught more comprehensively and unlike in the past students would complete their Quran reading by the time they are in class VIII, he said.

Similarly, Pakistan studies would carry lessons from the Indus civilisation to present day politics, which “I believe is very necessary for students to get awareness of their past and present.” he said.

Besides improving upon curricula, the examination system is also being reviewed with lesser choice of questions and grace marks, which would further improve quality of education, the minister said.

He also informed the gathering that a new education policy would soon be unveiled with new targets and goals.