LAHORE: A delegation of students and teachers of the Government Girls Higher Secondary School and the Government City Girls High School, Taunsa Sharif visited the chief minister’s office during a study tour of Lahore on Thursday.

The students were shown documentaries about sociocultural and government affairs besides a visit to different sections. Chief Minister Usman Buzdar welcomed the students and announced that he would regularly invite the students of government schools to Lahore on study trips along with a visit to his office. He said the students of government schools in developing areas would be given preference.

“I am happy to meet the students who are like my daughters and entertaining them is an honour,” the chief minister said and asked the students to work hard to excel in life. He said the promotion of education was the key agenda of this government.

Mr Buzdar announced that the Fort Munro cadet college project would soon be completed, while a university would be started at Taunsa Sharif – home tehsils of Mr Buzdar.

The chief minister said the recruitment rules were being relaxed to overcome the shortage of teachers at Taunsa and other backward areas. He said the government had started Rahmatul-lil-alameen scholarships to help underprivileged students continue their studies. Meanwhile, he said, the facilities like roads and parks were also being improved at Taunsa to improve the quality of life.

Punjab Schools Minister Murad Raas said the students of government schools were second to none in intellect and abilities.

The students thanked CM Buzdar for inviting them to his office. They said only chief minister’s personal interest had helped them visit Lahore and and meet him.

“The students of a remote tehsil cannot think of visiting Lahore and meet the chief minister,” a student said.

Another student said the chief minister’s encouragement had boosted students’ confidence as they learnt a lot from the visit.

The chief minister gave them a guided tour of his office and distributed shields among them. The students also took pictures with the chief minister at his office.

Published in Dawn, August 19th, 2021