SKARDU, July 7: The government has approved 585 fresh posts in the Northern Areas Education Department, out of which 225 had been allocated for Skardu district. This was stated by Deputy Director, Education, Abdullah Islahi while talking to journalist at the Skardu Press Club.

With recruitment to these posts not only the shortage of teachers and other staff would be met, but it will also help reduce unemployment in the region, he maintained. He further said that 80 per cent of the population of Baltistan were being provided education.

Through the "Education for All" programme, to be launched soon in the area, the government intends to increase the literacy rate in the Northern Areas, he said. In 1999, after launching Northern Areas Education Project (NAEP), a number of teachers were trained to enhance the standard of teaching and at the same time 500 community schools were also established in the NA's. Out of which 75 schools had been allocated for Skardu district.

"Under this project, 6700 students are studying in the said 75 schools located in the remote areas of the district. In addition to this, he added that two elementary colleges have also been constructed in Gilgit and Skardu. The college in Skardu has been completed at a cost of Rs37.5 million and has started functioning.

The college has been equipped with all latest facilities. After the establishment of this college, the students of Baltistan have got the facilities of PTC, CT and B.Ed at their doorsteps.

The deputy director said that 15 projects were under completion, in the education sector in Skardu district, in which four schools are being upgraded from middle to high and nine primary schools to middle and high levels.

Mr Islahi further added that the Marafi Foundation has also handed over 150 newly-constructed schools to the education department in Skardu, which is a great contribution in promoting education in the region.