LAHORE, Jan 5: The Academic Staff Association of the Punjab University has welcomed the Punjab government’s decision to provide free education in all state-run schools up to secondary level.

Association vice-president Dr Mahr Saeed Akhtar said on Sunday that the step would help improve the literacy rate, lay a foundation for higher education and establish a civilized society in the country.

He, however, urged the provincial government to improve school buildings, laboratories and libraries besides increasing salaries of teachers to further strengthen the education sector.

He also called for introducing reforms in schools in the private sector and bringing their fees to a reasonable limit.