LAHORE, Aug 29: Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi on Friday directed the education department to devise a comprehensive training programme for teachers, stressing that those undergoing training would be given promotions and pecuniary benefits.

He was presiding over a meeting held to review progress on the implementation of the education reforms in the province. Law Minister Raja Basharat, Education Minister Imran Masood, Chief Secretary Hafeez Akhtar Randhawa and other government officers attended the meeting.

The chief minister said it was hard to provide the quality education without training teachers on modern lines. The government, he said, intended to restore the dignity of teachers.

Those showing better performance would be given medals and cash awards, he added.

He said the teachers of primary schools held central position in the entire educational system, and were responsible for the education and character-building of children.

Mr Elahi said the government was introducing school councils to improve the administrative system and their efficiency in the province. The system would ensure participation of the local community in the affairs of schools, he said.