Federal Minister for Education Lieutenant General Javed Ashraf Qazi (retd) said on Tuesday that concrete steps were being taken to promote healthy activities among students for their balanced personality development. He was addressing the concluding ceremony of the second Pakistan Day Cycle Race held under auspices of Federal Directorate of Education, here.
The minister said that from the new academic year, starting from September, five percent sports quota had been reserved for admission in educational institutions of the capital to promote constructive activities among students for their healthy personality development.
Similarly, he said sports activity had been made part and parcel of the new scheme of studies and every school shall be having physical instructor to prepare a sports team, adding efforts would be made to ensure implementation of these measures in all educational institutions of the country.
He also stressed the need for taking more steps to promote spirit of patriotism among the students, who were regarded as builders of the country's bright future and suggested that every student should wear a badge with the national flag on.
He gave a cycle as prize to three position holders each among the total 150 participants who covered seven and a half kilometre long distance. He congratulated the participants and asked them to continue with the same spirit and hard work.
The minister also announced Rs 100,000 to girls for showing live manifestation of patriotism by chanting full-throated slogans of "Pakistan Zindabad", while Rs 20,000 for girl student for presenting a national song on the occasion. Later, in a brief talk with media persons, the minister said that registration date for the private institution would not be extended further at any costs.
Replying to a question, the minister said if those private educational institution failed to get registered themselves with the regulatory authority then only two options would be available either cancel their affiliation with board or shut them down. Earlier, Director General Brigadier Maqsood Hassan (retd) congratulated the cycle racers and said that the event would be made more attractive by increasing its participants.