KARACHI, April 1: Sindh Governor Mohammedmian Soomro has asked students to pay full attention to acquisition of knowledge and avoid unfair means for getting degrees.

He was speaking at the inaugural ceremony of a computer lab at the Government College of Commerce and Economics here on Monday.

The governor made it clear that there should be no ambiguity about the fact that those nations who had progressed in the world were equipped with knowledge, and cited the examples of the United States, Japan, Britain, China etc.

He regretted that education had been the most neglected sector in Pakistan. Big promises had been made in the past without any substantial work and the results of such an approach was always obvious, he added.

“However, it is a matter of satisfaction that the present government is paying utmost attention to education and serious steps are being taken in this regard, which will enhance literacy on the one hand and promote science and technology on the other.”

The governor pointed out that restoration of merit was on top of the priorities of the government. For this, he added, responsibilities also rest with teachers and students. Mr Soomro urged the students to acquire education with honesty and commitment.

He regretted that in many developed countries, Pakistani degrees were not recognized and stressed that by working hard we could reverse the process by enhancing the image of our degrees.

The governor praised the students who had obtained positions in the examinations and won laurels for their institution as well as their parents.

He praised the efforts of provincial education minister and secretary for taking personal interest in establishing computer labs in colleges and pointed out that in just one year, computer labs had been set up in 40 institutions.

The governor said the introduction of mandatory 75 per cent attendance was aimed at enhancing the quality of education.

He also referred to the promulgation of ordinance for compulsory and free education in the province, which, he said, would contribute to attaining 100 per cent literacy rate.

Mr Soomro pointed out that President General Pervez Musharraf had extended a sum of Rs170 million to the government of Sindh for the provision of books among students in the province.

He said a sum of Rs400 million had also been allocated for the development works.

Earlier, the principal of the college, Prof Mohammad Aslam Khan, said two computer laboratories with 21 computers each had been established in the college for boys and girls. He said BCS programme would soon be introduced in the institution.

—APP/PPI