Muzaffarabad: (Parliament Times) the Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Raja Farooq Haider Khan has said that the literacy rate in the region has increased to a great extent but the standard and quality of the education on the other hand has drastically declined.
The AJK premier made these remarks while addressing a cabinet meeting here on Wednesday. Highlighting the importance of education the premier pointed out that in the modern era progress and prosperity of the nations was inescapably linked to high quality education. He said that there was a dire need to lay focus on improving the education system of the region. He said that in order to achieve desired results revolutionary steps would be taken to revamp the education department.
Speaking on the occasion, the AJK premier said that there were 6150 educational institutions in AJK wherein basic amenities were yet to be provided. “Besides imparting quality education it is the prime responsibility of the government to provided good and healthy educational environment to studentsâ€, he said adding the issue of shortage of staff in government institutions would be duly addressed and there would be no compromise whatsoever on the quality of education. Khan was of the view that besides protecting life and honour the government was bound to provide health care, education and justice to common masses.
He said that in a bid to improve the quality of education in AJK the incumbent government has introduced NTS system. He said that introducing NTS system and appointing teachers on merit were some tough challenges for the incumbent regime, which he said were successfully implemented due to support of cabinet ministers and party activists.
He said that the appointments made on political basis were one of the main causes of decline in the standard of education. He said that it was quite astonishing that there were some Degree Colleges in the region, which were operating without proper teaching staff. Referring to lack of building infrastructure he said that 52 colleges have been operating in School buildings. He appreciated the incumbent education minister for working diligently to bring reforms in the education department. Regarding the education package, it was decided that in the light of apex court’s judgment and in line with the education committee’s recommendations the Education Package would be presented in the AJK Assembly.
The cabinet meeting that adopted a number of resolutions on the occasion, through a unanimous resolution denounced widespread human rights violations and killing of innocent civilians by Indian occupation forces in held Kashmir. They also expressed their sorrow and grief over the killing of Sabzar Ahmed Bhat and others who were recently killed by Indian forces. Lambasting the Indian authorities for imposing curfew and massive crackdown against APHC leaders and urged the international community to take effective cognizance of deteriorating situation in the region.
While appreciating the Prime Minister and Finance Minister of Pakistan for presenting a people friendly budget the participants of the meeting expressed the optimism that Pakistan would emerge as a strong economy very soon. They also expressed their gratitude to Prime Minister of Pakistan for enhancing development budget for AJK.
The meeting was attended by senior minister Ch. Tariq Farooq, cabinet ministers Raja Nisar Ahmed Khan, Ms Noureen Arif, Mushtaq, Dr. Najeeb Naqi, Mir Akbar Khan, Ch. M Aziz, Ch. M Saeed, Barrister Iftikhar Gilani and Sardar Farooq Sikander whereas chief secretary Dr. Ejaz Manir, additional chief secretary Dr. Asif Shah, Farhat Ali Mir, senior member board of revenue Fayaz Ali Abasi and other government officls were present on the occasion.
