PESHAWAR, Nov 5: The NWFP minister for education, Syed Imtiaz Hussain Gilani has said that because of the present Afghan crisis Pakistan was at a crossroads and had to pick between the bad and the worst.

So, whatever decision has been taken, was taken by president Gen Pervez Musharraf in the larger interest of the country. He was speaking at the annual parent’s day function of Central Science College, Peshawar, on Monday.

He said that our hearts bleeds with every bomb falling on Afghan villages and killing Afghans. This is why the president had been boldly calling for a short and targeted campaign.

Nobody would support the destruction of innocent Afghans, but Pakistan has been doing whatever was possible.

He also called upon the people to be patient and peaceful saying, “You might find faults with this policy” but the destruction of properties in Pakistan would in no way help the Taliban or harm the Americans.

With reference to education, the minister pointed out that the government has changed its philosophy from concentrating on material to management, and has opened 15 new college and three public sector universities in the unutilized buildings.

Regarding the teachers’ role in education the minister said that he had been impressing upon them that the focus should always be on the students. He said that for the first time accountability has been initiated in the education department and the teachers’ increments etc are linked to student’s performance in exams.

He said that parents must not feel relieved of all responsibility after admitting their children to educational institutions, but should monitor their studies.

Again, with regards to the government he said that 25 per cent of the provincial budget is reserved for education, of which 70 per cent is for primary education; of that 70 per cent 80 per cent is spent on girls.

The minister stressed upon the teachers that besides teaching the curriculum they must also inculcate ethical and moral values in the students.

Speaking at the occasion, advisor to the government on science and information technology Prof Dr Lutfullah Kaka Khel revealed that under a comprehensive scheme all government colleges in the province are part of a network.

Through this network colleges will be able to share knowledge and lecturers, email facility, and invite lecturers from abroad.

He pointed out that nowhere in the world, a bachelor’s degree could be obtained in two years like in Pakistan, that is why our degrees are not recognized abroad.

Therefore, the duration of BA/B.Sc shall be extended to four years with a comprehensive syllabi.