ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Minister for Education Madad Ali Sindhi on Monday visited the newly-transformed F-6/3 school and directed the ministry to transform 20 more schools in six weeks.

The school was recently transformed into a blended learning centre with modern facilities with the support of a non-governmental organisation.

The minister, according to a press release, “acknowledged the substantial improvements made at F-6/3 school and applauded the spirit of collaboration that has propelled this initiative.”

He directed the immediate upgradation of 20 more government primary schools in Islamabad in the same pattern.

The school was upgraded with efforts of Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani, an officer of BS-21 from Pakistan Administrative Service, through Rupani Foundation.

Mr Wani is now the special secretary of the ministry of education as well acting secretary education. During the visit of the minster, he briefed him about the facilities at the school. The secretary assured the minster that within six months 20 more schools will be upgraded.

It may be noted that a multi-billion project for face-lifting of schools and providing new facilities is already in progress for schools under the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE). For the fiscal year 2023-24, the government had allocated Rs2.15 billion for the project for the provision of basic educational (missing) facilities in educational institutions of ICT.

Under this project, the ministry of education is supposed to provide basic facilities in the schools and colleges besides constructing around 500 classrooms, auditoriums, laboratories, libraries and new toilet blocks, etc.

The work under the project was already in progress and there was likelihood the ministry will get the 20 schools transferred through this project.

When contacted, Mr Wani said: “We are going to transform 20 more schools with dilapidated condition into blended learning centres.”

To a query, he said the ministry will get the work done through its own funding.

Published in Dawn, December 19th, 2023