Daily Times

LAHORE: The Punjab government has allocated an overall amount of Rs 312.8 billion for different sections and projects of education sector in the provincial budget for 2016-17.

However, Rs 47 billion has been specified for school education, 13 billion for higher education, Rs 50 billion for upgradation of school buildings, 1.8 billion for non-formal education and 6.67 million for special education, Rs 4 billion for Punjab Education Endowment Fund (PEEF), Rs 4 billion for provision of laptops, Rs 2.5 billion for Danish School, Rs 2 billion for Knowledge Park and Rs 12 billion for Punjab Education Foundation (PEF) separately.

In School education, Rs 96 million has been allocated for Introduction of Early Childhood Education in 1000 primary schools, Rs 175 million for Punjab Education and English Language Initiative (PEELI) project, Rs 28 million for provision of Tablet PCs to public school students, Rs 1 billion for Punjab Examination Commission, Rs 1 billion for Elementary Teachers Training College, Rs 73 million for Children Library Complex, Rs 37 million for students of Blaochistan studying in different government schools whereas Rs 15 million for students of Balochistan studying in Danish Schools.

In previous year 2015-16, Rs 32.8 billion were allocated for School Education however, 15 billion has been raised by Punjab government. In Higher Education, lowest amount has been allocated for Government College University as only Rs 8 million was allocated whereas Rs 125 million for Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC), Rs 17 million for Information Technology University (ITU), Rs 127 million for Lahore College for Women University (LCWU), Rs 183 million for University of Education, Rs 49 million for Kinnaird College for Women Rs 4 billion for Punjab Education Endowment Fund (PEEF), Rs 4 billion of provision of laptops, Rs 2.4 billion for Commerce Colleges ,

Similarly Rs 9 billion were allocated in year 2015-16 for Higher Education, however Rs 3 billion was increased. However, Rs 50 million has also been allocated for a new project for provision of missing facilities and renovation and upgradation of school buildings titled Strengthening of Schools A comprehensive and integrated Programme for renovation of all schools of Punjab.