KP allocated minimal share of education funds to poor and rural areas

Author: Javed Khan

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has allocated a minimal share of education funds to the poor and the rural areas as compared to the urban areas of the province.

The Public Financing of Education in Pakistan Analysis (2010-11 to 2015-16) report postulated and distinguished the differences clearly on the basis budget allocation to various districts.

Mardan, Peshawar, Mansehra, Swat, Abbottabad, lower Dir and Dera Ismail Khan spent more than Rs4 billion in 2014-15. On the other hand, Hangu and Torghar had an education expenditure below Rs1 billion, the report stated.

As per the report, Rs71.66 billion was allocated as the expenditure for the districts. Around 90 per cent of the 2014-15 budget for the districts was spent on salaries and related expenditures. However, only 10 per cent was left for non-salary heads and other expenses.

The report highlighted that Chitral, Tank, Karak, Abbottabad, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan and Haripur had spent more than Rs20, 000 per student during 2014-15.

On the contrary, Torghar, Hangu and Upper Dir spent less than Rs13, 000 per student during the year.

The figures in the report marked a huge discrepancy among the districts regarding spending on the education sector. Furthermore, it also clearly indicated that the need of a more proper rational budget allocation formula based on the actual needs of each district.

Saeed Zaman an education expert in the province told Daily Times that the expenditure per student by KP in 2014-15 shows that listed above districts of the province have largely been ignored in terms of education funding that they receive.

He said that a close study of the report and the white paper of the budget 2014-15 said that Chitral received more than Rs24,000 per student, while less than Rs12,000 was spent per student in Upper Dir.

The government should focus more on underdeveloped districts as the level of education remains low in these areas. The allocation of a larger budget for these districts would help improve the standard of education and literacy rate, added Saeed Zaman.