KPK only province so far to lessen budget for education

Peshawar: In the recently announced budget for the year 2016-2017, the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has apportioned a budget of Rs. 11 billion 520 million. This figure is almost 31 percent less as compared to the figure that was allocated last year.

As per the media sources, in the year 2015-2016, most overheads targets set in the budget were accomplished, but, education suffered a shortfall of 46 percent. Based on the experience of last year and the present revenue expenditure, the education target of coming year has been brought down by 31% almost. This makes Khyber Pakhtunkhwa the only province until now to have reduced the budget allotted to education.

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Rs. 12 billion 450 million have been saved for primary and secondary education in the province. The KPK government has also decided to construct 100 primary and 100 secondary schools in upcoming year.

During presentation of this budget, an approval was also given of turning 100 madaris into primary schools of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Just like the government of Punjab, KPK government is also paying attention on education for children along with special needs. In this respect, Rs. 1 billion 690 million has been reserved for special education.

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Moreover, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has reserved Rs. 1 billion 970 million for Human Resource and Technical Education. 200 smart schools along with 500 new IT labs are to be constructed in secondary schools.

The budget of Science and Information Technology also saw a decline with just 690 million allocated for the year 2016-2017. Out of which Rs. 567 million has been allocated to 26 ongoing projects while Rs. 43 million reserved for the 6 new projects.

KPK government also makes a strategy to install open WiFi in public places and universities, for promotion of academic research and a culture of science among young generation, development and innovation, as well as a portal for Information Technology scholarships.