KARACHI, Sept 2: The federal government has allocated a sum of Rs3.1 billion for education sector, during the current fiscal year, for development purposes.

Federal Education Minister Ms Zobaida Jalal informed while talking to the APP.

She said that the amount would be disbursed in accordance with the National Economic Council (NEC) formula, which was awarded 90 per cent on population basis and additional five per cent each for Baluchistan and NWFP provinces.

However, she said that the provinces were authorized to disburse the amount among the districts according to their own assessment, adding that the allocations would be given to the districts within couple of months.“We are looking at all the districts on equity basis,” she further remarked.

Replying to a question, the minister said that universalization of primary education was on top priority in the seven areas targeted by the education ministry.

She was optimistic that the target of 100 per cent enrolment at the primary level would be achieved by the year 2015. However, Ms Jalal clarified that the adult literacy rate would still be 85 per cent by then.—APP