Federal Minister for Education, Lieutenant General Javed Asharf Qazi (Retd) said on Saturday that the government has decided to increase the primary and secondary level education budget from 2.7 percent to 4 percent of the GDP to improve the quality and standard of education at the grassroots level.
Talking to reporters here at the 12th day parents-day function of Garrison Cadet College, Kohat, he said the government had already increased the budget of higher education manifolds and the 4 percent increase will substantially enhance the student's enrolment and improve the teaching skills.
The massive allocation will be released later to the provinces where focus would be made for improving education infrastructure and quality of courses.
Addressing an impressive ceremony of the Garrison Cadet College, Kohat, the minister said the poor education is weakening the social fabric of the society, adding that corruption, malpractice and disregard for ethical values are hampering the process of national development.
Javed Ashraf underlined the need for focusing on the character-building of the students, inculcating discipline and creation of leadership qualities in them. He advised the students to devote their energies to achieve academic excellence in the fields of science and technology. He lauded the outstanding contribution made by the founders of the Garrison Cadet College and expressed the hope that the colleges will maintain it superb standards in the years ahead.
Earlier, Brig Tariq Saeed (Retd), principal of the college in his welcome address said that the college which was established in March 1990 had earned laurels in academic and sports activities. He mentioned numbers of developmental projects currently in pipeline.
Later the chief guest gave away prizes, medals and trophies to the best students for their outstanding performance in academic, sports and extracurricular activities.
The academics trophy was bagged by Faizan Taj while best cadet in sports trophy went to Aabid Bin Aabid. Shamsul Hayat was decorated with the Principal trophy. Ghazali House was declared best house of the college.
Earlier the cadets presented the parade and the minister for education reviewed it. The students also displayed PT and gymnastic performances.
The principal gave souvenir to the Federal Minister Javed Ashraf Qazi. Later the minister visited different stalls and took keen interest in it.