HYDERABAD, Feb 9: Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim has said after law and order and irrigation, his government is giving priority to the education sector to improve the standard of education.

He was speaking at a function on Wednesday organized by the management of the Sargodhian Spirit Trust (SST) Public School, Rashidabad, Tando Allahyar, about progress of development works at the school, said an information department handout.

Dr Rahim said to achieve this objective, the government would encourage and strengthen cadet colleges. He said efforts were being made to establish at least one cadet college in a district to create competitive academic atmosphere.

He, however, expressed dissatisfaction over the fee structure of cadet colleges and said he had directed the management of the colleges to ensure educational facilities to people of lower class by reducing the fees and awarding scholarships.

The chief minister praised the SST for establishing quality educational institutes in rural areas of Sindh.

He said with the introduction of 25 per cent scholarships, the school would provide an opportunity of interaction among students different from segments of the society which would strengthen national harmony.

He advised the school management to hire well-trained teachers, even from abroad.

Dr Rahim announced a donation of Rs50 million for completion of remaining works of the school and said his government would continue supporting the school.

Speaking on the occasion, Joint Chief of Staff Committee chairman Gen Ehsanul Haq said Sindh had played a leading role in creation of Pakistan and it had to play the same role in prosperity of the country.

He stressed the need for eradicate illiteracy and poverty to ensure development of the country. He said SST schools would also be established in other provinces. He said the SST was striving to provide quality education and training facilities to people.

He lauded the help and encouragement of the Sindh government in establishment of the school in Rashidabad. H also appreciated efforts of individuals and organizations which extended their support in promoting objectives of the SST.

In his welcome speech, Air Chief Marshal Farooq F. Khan, chairman of the SST, said the SST had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Rashidabad Memorial Organization in June 2001 in which the latter had agreed to provide 50 acres of land for the school.

He said the Rashidabad school would house 400 students, selected after competitive examinations and interviews. He said 25 percent students, mostly from rural areas, would be given scholarships.

He said Rs102 million had been donated by former Sindh Governor Mohammedmian Soomro and former Chief Minister Ali Mohammad Mahar, Rs30 million by the president, Rs20 million by alumni and Rs5 million by the Al-Nahyan Foundation and individuals for the project.

Dr Amanullah of the SST school said 70 per cent work of the school had been completed and it would be started from Sept 15.

EMERGENCY: A state of emergency was declared in offices of the Water and Sanitation Agency and Hyderabad Development Authority (HDA) in the wake of forecast of heavy rain.