Education is only way to progress and prosperity: chief minister Punjab

Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that reforms programme, implemented in schools, is yielding positive results, and observed that education is the only way to progress and prosperity and keeping in view this fact the Punjab government is attaching top priority to this sector and revolutionary steps have been taken for its uplift and promotion of quality education in the province.
He was presiding over a meeting held to review implementation of the roadmap evolved for reforms in schools here on Tuesday, disclosed an official. Provincial Minister for Education Mian Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman, Chairman Punjab Education Foundation Raja Muhammad Anwar, Secretary Schools Aslam Kamboh, head of education department of SEDA and representatives of DFID of Britain were also present on the occasion. British educationist Sir Michael Barbar presented a review report regarding pace of implementation of the roadmap for school reforms in Punjab.
Addressing the meeting, the Chief Minister said that the dream of progress and prosperity can be realised only by educating the young generation and the Punjab government is implementing a comprehensive programme for the promotion of quality education in the province. "The roadmap devised for reforms in schools is being fully implemented, which is leaving a positive impact on education sector," he added.
He directed the Minister and Secretary Education to hold meetings on weekly basis to review achievement of the targets and present him a report. Meanwhile, the Chief Minister presided over a meeting regarding implementation of Saaf Pani Project (SPP). Members' Provincial Assembly Rana Muhammad Afzal, Tanvir Aslam Malik, Chairman Planning and Development and Secretary Finance were present. Secretary Housing gave a detailed briefing regarding the project.
Addressing the meeting, the Chief Minister said provision of safe drinking water to the people is of vital importance and Saaf Pani Project is, therefore, an important project, which will be implemented expeditiously. He directed that water filtration plants should be of the highest standard and cost effective. He said the company supplying filtration plants would also be responsible for their maintenance for three years, while third-party validation of the project will also be undertaken. He also constituted a committee comprising Chairman Planning and Development, Secretary Finance and Secretary Housing to settle the price of the filtration plants.