Cabinet approves release of funds for school textbooks

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa cabinet has approved release of funds for the provision of free textbooks to students in government schools.

The cabinet at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur also directed the concerned authorities to present a comprehensive plan regarding  quality printing and reuse of textbooks.

An in-principle decision was also made to provide free school bags to students enrolling in the new academic year. Officials were instructed to present a detailed plan in the next cabinet meeting.

The meeting also reviewed strategies to enroll out-of-school children and expressed concern over their large number across the province.

In districts like Chitral, where access to education is already challenged by difficult terrain and a lack of resources, these measures are seen as crucial.

Many schools in Upper and Lower Chitral face shortages of basic facilities, and the provision of free books and school bags can help reduce the financial burden on parents and encourage higher enrollment rates.

Additionally, the cabinet approved an increase in the annual budget of Parent-Teacher Councils (PTCs) from Rs5 billion to Rs7 billion, with instructions to ensure effective utilization of the funds through these councils.

Strengthening PTCs can play a significant role in improving school management and accountability, particularly in remote areas like Chitral.