PESHAWAR, April 10: NWFP Minister for Auqaf and Religious Affairs Maulana Amanullah Haqqani said a nation could not make progress without achieving excellence in the field of academics. He was addressing the up-gradation ceremony of the Government Primary School at Tehkal Bala on Monday.

Maulana Haqqani, who was the chief guest on the occasion, said the MMA government recognises the importance of education and was spending a huge amount on various schemes.

He said that due to flawed policies of previous governments the desired target of literacy in the province could not be achieved.

He claimed that the performance of many public sector organisations was poor before the MMA took over in 2002 and introduced reforms to fulfill the wishes of the masses.

He claimed that the culture of plunder and nepotism had been eradicated and a transparent and just system had been introduced.

Knowing well the significance of education, he said the government had launched various projects, including setting up of a women’s university and degree colleges and schools for women, in other districts of the province.

However, he said that without the assistance of parents and teachers the government would not succeed in its struggle and asked them to play their due role to supplement the efforts of the government.

He said the people of Gharibabad needed a school which has been fulfilled today.

Nazim Haji Shakirullah, Nazim Gulbashar and headmaster of the school Zaman Khan addressed the function.—APP