KARACHI, Oct 19: The directorate of Literacy and Non-Formal Education, Sindh has proposed the federal government to expand the non-formal schools' project , and establish at least another 6,620 non-formal schools in the province in the next five years.

It was also suggested that non-formal middle schools be opened besides enhancing honorarium of the teachers involved in the project.

Under the project, launched in 1996 and funded by the federal government, 82,000 non-formal schools were to be set up in all four provinces. Of these, some 15,580 centres were to be established in Sindh during the period from 1996 to 2003, however, only 1,227 were opened.

The Director, Sindh Literacy and Non-Formal Education, Dr Dur Muhammad Pathan, told PPI that keeping in view the current low literacy rate, the directorate proposed opening of 6,620 centres in the next five years at a rate of 1,324 centres per year (82 centres per district).

With regards to opening non-formal middle schools, Dr Pathan said that upgrading the centres was felt because of drop-outs after class five. "The children needing further education could be facilitated in this way," he added.

He said that his directorate had proposed enhancing the monthly honorarium being paid to a teacher from Rs1,000 to Rs2,000 per month. Similarly, an increase in supervisory allowance for the NGO from Rs200 to Rs400 was also recommended, he added.

Dr Pathan said that non-formal schools were opened in homes but no amount with regard to utility bills was paid, therefore, certain allocation in this regard had also been proposed.

He informed that the cost of opening a centre was Rs8,500 including Rs1,500 for survey, Rs3,500 for learning material and a similar amount for training teachers.

In all, 50 NGOs were looking after the 1,227 centres in the province, he said, but it required monitoring by the directorate. "Since we have only six assistant field officers, the directorate has suggested appointment of one assistant field officer for every 50 centres, he said. - PPI