MITHI, Dec 7: The centenary of the one of the oldest educational institutions of Tharparkar district, Government Boys High School, Mithi, was celebrated with much enthusiasm on Friday.

Speaking to more than 7,000 guests as the chief guest, Sindh education minister Pir Mazharul Haq said that funds allocated for construction of schools in Tharparkar district would be increased to Rs200 million from Rs100 million.He said that under the 18th Amendment, education was the basic right of every child and parents who denied education to their children would be fined or sent to jail.

He said that the handover of educational institutes to district governments during the government of retired Gen Pervez Mushrraf dealt a deadly blow to the quality of education. He said that owing to the lack of interest of district governments the present government had chalked out a comprehensive policy to ensure that quality education was provided with free books, scholarships and other monetary initiatives.

The minister said that stipend for girl students from six to ten years had been increased to Rs3,500 to help promote female education. He assured that closed schools in Tharparkar district would be made functional and 19,000 teachers would be hired in the education department.

Pakistan People’s Party MNA from Tharparkar district Dr Mahesh Kumar Malani, said that Thar was one of the most backward areas of the country and lacked proper education facilities.

Earlier, during the centenary celebrations of the Government Boys High School, the education minister inaugurated the publication of a school magazine Sobh (victory) and the reconstruction project of the old school building which is about to be completed. He also distributed cash prizes to students from various schools who presented naats, gave speeches, and performed traditional Thari dance and tableaux.—BoC