Islamabad (Web Desk): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday launched Pakistan Education Endowment Fund worth Rs14 billion and reforms in National Curriculum.
Addressing the event in Islamabad, the premier said that a budget of Rs3 billion has been earmarked this fiscal year for the endowment fund to equip the youth with education and make them builders of the nation.
PM Shehbaz also clarified that this budget will not go into the endowment fund this year but directly to the youth in the form of scholarships, the Radio Pakistan reported.
The prime minister said he wants to see the allocation of Pakistan Education Endowment Fund increasing Rs140 billion in the next 10 years.
He asserted that only through promotion of education, the country can be taken forward on the path of progress and development.
The prime minister recalled that Punjab Education Endowment Fund was established back in 2008 which provided scholarships to 450,000 students.
Terming the promotion of education as a sacred duty, the premier said special focus should be given to the areas which lag behind in development.
"We have to focus on education which is meaningful and has relevance with the modern day requirements to better compete with the world," PM Shehbaz said.
He said the tenure of incumbent government is ending on the August 14, and then the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) will announce the election date.
"Whosoever forms the next government after elections, top priority should be given to the education to make this nation great," PM Shehbaz asserted.
The prime minister was appreciative of the financial assistance extended by China, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) during the difficult times.
"However said we have to do introspection to put the country in the right direction," PM Shehbaz said.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Education Rana Tanveer Hussain said that scholarships under the endowment fund will be given in various disciplines including nursing, engineering and social sciences.
He said that incorporation of Constitution of Pakistan in the syllabus is an important milestone saying this will promote understanding amongst the youth about their rights and responsibilities.
"Steps have also been taken by the incumbent government to promote quality education and bring out of school children to the educational institutions," the minister said.
