Minister lauds SRSP, PATRIP’s efforts to boost education in Chitral

CHITRAL: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Elementary and Secondary Education Faisal Tarakai has lauded the Sarhad Rural Support Programme (SRSP) for its support to the government to promote education in the border regions of Chitral.

He was speaking at a gathering after inaugurating School Buildings and Information Technology Centres at Ashiret, Baradam, Patai, Sweer and Ayun.“The quality of the work is up to the mark. I will describe the schools as model schools,” he said. He termed the initiative a good example of collaboration between the government, donors, civil society and the communities.

The minister urged the civil society to come forward like the SRSP to support government schools where the bulk of the poor children get education.He thanked the government of Germany, PATRIP Foundation and KFW for supporting the border regions in road infrastructure, education and agriculture.

The border regions have been negatively impacted by the Afghan wars and rebuilding them would contribute to peace and stability in the region, he added.The PATRIP Foundation, supported by KFW and the government of Germany, has supported such initiatives in Chitral, Bajaur, Kurram and North Waziristan districts.

The minister said that he had the opportunity to see SRSP’s work during his tour in different sectors and he was impressed by it.The minister hailed the work of the Education Department that had been exemplary in Chitral to boost literacy in the district.

Senior officials of the Education Department and SRSP staff conducted the two-day visit.At each school children made colourful presentation and the minister had the time to interact with the staff, communities and schoolchildren and learnt about their problems

SRSP Chief Executive Officer Masood Ul Mulk said that the communities were engaged in the

process to build the schools and have benefitted from the training programmes. He said it was gratifying to see girls actively participating in the education process which was a good example and model for border communities. He said this initiative would help promote education in the region.