LAHORE: The Minister for Education, Mr Shamsul Haque, said here today [Oct 11] that the Government was determined to implement the new education policy within the shortest possible time. In an interview with [agency] the Minister said there was absolutely no ground for any misgiving that the new education policy would be shelved.

The Ministry of Education was working round the clock in giving finishing touches to the final draft of the policy for reorganisation and development of education in the country. He said a significant feature of the revised draft was that its scope had been widened to embrace scientific education and research. Another characteristic of the policy was the priority assigned to increase amenities and facilities for students in the form of more places in educational institutions, more hostels and more scholarships, stipends and free studentships. For the purpose, he added, the needs of crowded cities and educationally-backward areas had been given special consideration.

A vastly expanded programme of elementary education, the Minister told another questioner, had been included in the final draft of the policy so as to ensure equitable distribution of the education facilities in various parts of the country as also different sections of the people.

Published in Dawn, October 12th, 2019