Punjab govt allocates Rs. 391bn for education sector

LAHORE: The Punjab government has allocated more than Rs. 391 billion for the education sector for fiscal year 2020-21.

The allocations include Rs. 357 billion for ongoing regular expenditures, and Rs. 34.5 billion for development schemes.

According to the budget document, funds amounting to Rs. 350 billion have been allocated for School Education Department (SED), out of which Rs. 27.6 billion has been earmarked as development budget for the year.

For ongoing schemes, Rs. 600 million have been allocated for SED whereas four billion rupees for new schemes.

Similarly, Rs. 23 billion has been allocated for other development programme (ODP).

Provision of scholarships to more than Rs. 0.5 million school girls and free syllabus books to all students would be made from this allocation.

He said that Rs. 13.5 billion has been allocated for school councils, and three billion rupees for educational expenses of Daanish Schools in the budget proposals.

Rs 22 billion has been allocated for the Punjab Education Foundation (PEF) and Punjab Education Initiative Management Authority(PEIMA) under public private partnership.

Projects of upgradation of schools, construction of additional class rooms, establishment of computer labs and reconstruction of dilapidated buildings have also been included in the proposals.

The provincial government had already upgraded 1,227 elementary schools to high schools.

Similarly, for promotion of higher education, Rs. 37.5 billion have been allocated for the Higher Education Department, out of which Rs. 3.9 billion will be spent on development schemes.

According to details, Rs. 3.2 billion have been allocated for ongoing development schemes, Rs. 500 million for new schemes whereas Rs. 150 million for the ongoing development programme.

Seven new universities would be established in various districts of the province whereas provision of facilities in existing universities were part of the projects.

Funds were also being allocated for providing educational stipend to deserving students and the chief minister merit scholarship programme.

For Special Education, Rs. 555 million have been earmarked by the government, out of which Rs. 365 million have been allocated for ongoing schemes while Rs. 189 million for new schemes.

The Punjab government has allocated Rs. 2.5 billion for literacy and non-formal education, out of which Rs. 20 million have been allocated for ongoing schemes, and Rs. 2,480 million for new schemes.