ISLAMABAD, March 11: The Education Sector Reforms (ESR) being pursued by the government comprise a set of comprehensive measures to bring about a complete transformation of the education system, officials sources said.

Under this scheme, a three-year action plan (2000-2003) is being implemented with determination to revamp and modernize the system by purging it of some of the traditional bottlenecks. A gigantic plan of expansion of primary/elementary education is currently underway, which, after completion, will enhance the participation rates substantially.

Universalization of primary education (UPE) is one of the most challenging milestones for the government. The task is indeed gigantic and concerted efforts are needed to raise status of primary education with respect to both quantity and quality. The number of primary schools in the country is 170,000, including 27,000 mosques schools, imparting education to 19.6 million children of five to nine age group. The gross participation rate at primary level is 89 per cent and dropout rate is 50 per cent.

To increase the gross participation rate from 89 to 100 per cent and enhancing primary completion rate from 50 to 70 per cent, around 2.4 million additional primary age-group children will be enrolled during the next three years. Out of these, 2.1 million children will be enrolled through formal system.

The government will consolidate and improve the existing primary school facilities through provision of building to 18,030 shelterless schools; drinking water facilities to 56,455 schools; washrooms/toilets for 79,342 schools,; boundary walls for 64,973 schools; and electricity fittings to 95,979 schools.

In addition to this, 8,504 new primary schools will be opened. The programme is leading towards the elementary education system.—APP