ISLAMABAD, May 16: The education ministry has asked for a budgetary allocation of Rs994.6 million for the year 2002-03, exclusively meant for development of schools, colleges and universities in Rawalpindi and Islamabad under the Education Sector Reforms (ESR).

An official source told this reporter that if approved, the amount would be utilized in 69 different projects ranging from expansion of old institutions to establishment of new schools and colleges in the twin cities.

The amount being asked is for the scheme under which educational institutions will be strengthened, since the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) has already been declared a model site for implementation of the ESR.

To implement eight projects in the federal capital, the education department requires an amount of Rs78.175 million which will be utilized in programmes like ICT adult literacy project (Rs13.58 million); rehabilitation of existing F.G. primary schools in ICT (Rs15 million); provision of free textbooks to students of F.G. primary schools in ICT (Rs2.717 million); early childhood education class in ICT (Phase-I) minor project (Rs3.167 million); revamping of science education in secondary schools in ICT (Rs14 million); introduction of technical stream in secondary schools ICT (Rs12.333 million); establishment of resource centre in federal government schools (Rs4.348 million) and construction of girls hostel in Quaid-i-Azam University (Rs13 million).

Similarly, under the Social Action Plan (SAP), an amount of Rs89.394 million was required to undertake four projects, which include improvement of infrastructure and strengthening monitoring of primary/middle schools by expanding physical facilities (Rs1 million); establishment of primary schools in sectors I-8/2, I-8/3, G-11/1, G-11/2 and F-11 (Rs18.125 million); provision of educational facilities to elementary schools in the federal area (Rs40 million) and for additional accommodation required in the existing Islamabad Model College Junior Section Islamabad (Rs30.256 million).

Under the president’s programme, the existing primary and elementary education in the ICT will be rehabilitated at the cost of Rs15.286 million.

The rest of the 56 projects under the normal schemes require an amount of Rs777 million that include opening of primary/junior model schools in sectors G-11/3, G-11/4, I-11, Margalla Town and Chief Executive Colony Islamabad (Rs15 million); opening of new primary schools and provision of building to mosque schools in the capital’s rural area (Rs20 million); provision of additional classrooms and educational facilities in primary schools in the capital’s urban area (Rs10 million); opening of new F.G secondary schools in developing sectors like G-11/1 and G-11/2 (Rs20 million); additional classrooms in the existing secondary schools in urban areas of Islamabad (Rs0.75 million); establishment of two F.G. secondary schools in F-11 sector (Rs15 million); merit scholarships to students of FGEI Islamabad (Rs0.65 million); establishment of two F.G. secondary schools in developing sectors I-8/3 (Girls) and I-8/4 (Boys) (Rs15 million); upgradation of existing secondary schools to higher secondary level in federal area (Rs20 million); special repair/maintenance (roof treatment, doors, windows, bathrooms, flooring, whitewash, painting of F.G. secondary and higher schools in Islamabad (Rs5.49 million); upgradation of rural middle schools to secondary level in Islamabad (Rs0.7 million); provision of additional classrooms to the existing secondary schools located in rural federal area (Rs0.75 million) and uplift of existing middle schools by upgradation to secondary level and enhancement of physical facilities in middle schools in Islamabad (Rs20 million); enhancement of middle schools to secondary level (Rs15 million); provision of additional classrooms to the existing secondary/higher secondary schools in urban/rural area of Islamabad (Rs10 million).

The proposal also includes a community-based technical training project (Rs1.4 million); establishment of polytechnic institute for boys Islamabad (Rs69.271 million); expansion in the existing building of Islamabad Commerce College for Women F-10/3 (Rs3.455 million); provision of transport facilities to the newly established Islamabad model colleges/F.G. educational institutions, Islamabad (Rs17.339 million); establishment of F.G. College of Home Economics and Management Sciences in Islamabad (Rs14.303 million); extension of educational facilities to Islamabad Model College for Girls (IMCG) F-10/2, Model College for Boys (IMCB) G-10/4 (Rs23 million); special repairs/maintenance of F.G. colleges (Rs0.3 million); provision of science labs to BSc classes and additional classrooms in F.G. College for Men F-10/4 and F.G. College for Women G-10/4 (Rs1.4 million) and improvement of physical facilities at F.G. Margalla College for Women F-7/4 (Rs2.6 million).

Besides, extension of hostel facilities for girl students at F.G. College for Women F-7/2 (Rs3.14 million); provision of additional classrooms to model colleges, ICB F-7/3 and F-8/4, provision of additional accommodation to the newly established IMC for Girls I-10/4 and IMCB G-11/1 (Rs20 million); establishment of F.G. College for Women, sector I-8 (Rs10 million) are also included in the scheme.

The amount required for expansion and development of Federal College of Education is Rs1.3 million; construction of classrooms, boundary wall and residence at Federal College of Education (Rs15.4 million); introduction of MA education and MEd classes at Federal College of Education (Rs35 million).

Under the programme, Rs38 million will be required for constructing a hostel in Quaid-i-Azam University for girl students, while Rs25 million for upgradation of the varsity. For strengthening higher education facilities at the University of Arid Agriculture Rawalpindi, Rs11.8 million are needed.