Schools Education Minister Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan said the Punjab government has paved the way for the total elimination of child labour from the brick-kiln industry through sustained reforms, aiming at providing free educational facilities to the children. It is heartening that as much as 87,000 children of brick-kiln workers have been enrolled in different government-sponsored schools for getting free education espoused by the Punjab government, he added.
He said this during his surprise visit to a school for brick-kiln workers’ children near Kasur bypass today (Thursday). The representatives of schools education, labour and other line departments were also present.
The minister put up different questions to the students and appreciated their hard work and a keen interest in studies. He said the students are harbingers of social change who would excel in life through the educational opportunities provided free of cost by the Punjab government. He told that besides free education, books, stationery items, uniform, shoes and monthly stipends were also being provided as consolation.
The government has also ensured a conducive atmosphere in the schools for positive personality development of the students, he added. He told that Rs1000 are given to the student every month, while his parents get Rs2000 at the time of registration as encouragement. He termed the project as unique and a game-changer in the whole of south Asia, and told that a sustained monitoring system has also been designed to ensure that the project is implemented according to the vision of the Punjab chief minister. The district vigilance committees would strictly monitor the educational activity of the students so that this educational process is not hampered at any stage.
During his visit, the minister also visited Government Elementary Teachers Training College, Kasur, besides holding a meeting with the parliamentarians to review the educational process in the district.
