RAWALPINDI: The Punjab Education Department has decided to start evening shifts in 348 middle and high schools located in 174 union councils of Rawalpindi division. The Punjab Education Department has asked for lists of schools located in the seven tehsils of Rawalpindi Division from the District Education Authority. The tehsils include Murree, Kotli Sattain, Kahuta, Kalar Syedain, Gujar Khan, Taxila and Rawalpindi. The provincial education department has directed the authority to upgrade the primary schools where there are no middle or higher schools in Rawalpindi Division, according to a new policy issued by the department. The evening shift will be started in government schools after the end of summer vacations. Separately, the Punjab government has released a special grant of Rs 600 million for the construction of boundary walls of 430 schools and renovation of 178 schools of Rawalpindi district. Deputy Commissioner Talat Mehmood Gondal has directed officials to complete the construction work and renovate the dilapidated buildings of all the 608 schools till May 30. Chairing a meeting, the DC said that no negligence would be tolerated in this regard. Development Deputy Director Saima Ghafoor said that after a survey, 178 school buildings of district Rawalpindi were found to be in dilapidated condition. “The Punjab government then approved Rs 600 million for the construction of more class rooms and boundary walls in 430 schools as well as for repairing the 178 schools. The amount has been transferred to the building department. Contractors will be paid after checking of the quality of their work,” the official said.