ISLAMABAD: A project for establishing seven new schools in the federal capital, approved two years ago, has yet to start because the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) has not been given funds.

According to FDE documents, the Departmental Development Working Party (DDWP) had approved the establishment of the new schools in February of 2014.

And while it is waiting to be given funds for these seven schools, FDE proposed the establishment of nine others, according to FDE Director General Moinud Din Wani.

The directorate has also shared its plans for the new schools and colleges with the Senate Sub-Committee on Cabinet Secretariat. Mr Wani explained that under the prime minister’s initiative, the directorate was focusing on improving existing schools and that new ones will be established later. He said the PC-1 of nine new schools was being approved.

When asked why FDE would propose new schools while still awaiting funding for already-approved ones he said: “We are working on establishing all the schools simultaneously”.

The seven schools whose PC-1 was approved in 2014 are Islamabad Model School (IMS) (I-V) Model Town Humak Zimni, IMS Lohi Bher, (I-V) IMS Rawal Town, IMSB (I-VIII) Multi Garden, IMSG Ghora Shahan and IMS (I-VIII) G-15. The nine new proposed institutions are Islamabad Model College for Girls (IMCG) G-14/4, IMCB, G-13/2, IMCB Margalla Town, IMCB Pakistan Town, IMSG Khana Dak, IMCB Commerce College G-13/2, IMCB (FG) Degree College G-13/3 and IMCG (FG) G-13/4.

Published in Dawn, January 22nd, 2016