Free education, reforms: SHC directs parties to present report on May 24

F.P. Report

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Thursday directed provincial education secretary and petitioner to present report on the progress of free education facility and educational reforms in Sindh.

The high court was hearing petitions seeking details of free education facility and other reformations in education sectors in the province.

Provincial education secretary Qazi Shahid Pervaiz appeared in the hearing and pleaded that court that he wants to hold a session with the petitioner.

The official said, “We want to tell the petitioner about all of our efforts for education. We will provide all details about expenditures of the education department.”

The high court accepted the plea and ordered the petitioner and education secretary to sit together to find out resolution of the matter. SHC judge directed parties to present report on May 24.

During the hearing, Pervaiz apprised SHC that Global Partnership for Education (GPE) had announced $100 million grant while the Sindh government will present its proposal before the global organisation in Nepal on May 27.

He expressed hopes that the provincial government will get bigger share. The official said that the authorities have prepared a plan which would be presented in the upcoming conference.

Pervaiz further detailed that Rs50 million was granted by European Union (EU) and Rs100 million funds will be provided by Japanese ambassador. He added that Sindh is the only province which spends 28 per cent of its budget on education. The government has allocated Rs1 billion for purchases of new furniture for schools, he concluded.

Later, the hearing was adjourned and SHC judge directed parties to present report on May 24.