A meeting held here on Saturday reviewed progress on various steps being taken for the promotion of education in the province as well as other matters, including the construction of additional classrooms, installation of solar panels in schools, and the provision of a stipend to female students.
The chief minister approved the extension of the New Schools Programme (NSP) of the Punjab Education Foundation as well as the first phase of solar panel installation in schools in South Punjab. The solar panels will be installed in 17,000 schools throughout the province eventually.
Shehbaz Sharif said that the steering committee constituted for this purpose should hold its meetings fortnightly. The monthly stipend being paid was increased to Rs 1000 for girls studying from class six up to secondary classes in Southern Punjab districts and a sum of more than Rs 5 billion has been earmarked for this programme.
Missing facilities are expected to be provided to schools once the additional rooms have been constructed.
The meeting was attended by Provincial Minister for Schools Education Rana Mashhood Ahmed, the Punjab Education Foundation chairman, MPA Qamar ul Islam, the planning and development chairman, secretaries of the education, finance, and energy departments, and other concerned officials.