Seriously taking up the issue of low literacy rate in federally administered tribal areas (FATA), the government has allocated major chunk of funds amounting Rs 1395.89 million for education sector in Fata for establishing more institutions and improving the standard of existing ones. The total allocation for the education sector makes 21.15 per cent of the Fata Annual Development Program (ADP).
Under the program 48 new schemes would be initiated in education sector, costing Rs 241.7 million. Another Rs 1154.18 million have been earmarked for 205 ongoing educational projects.
The education sector in South Waziristan Agency, according to a handout of the Fata Media Cell, has been given lion's share with Rs 214.882 million, followed by North Waziristan with Rs 166.906 million. The purpose of allocation is to improve the literacy rate, especially among females, of the two remotest and deprived agencies and ensure quality education.
Kurram Agency stands third on the priority list of the government where Rs 154.982 million have been set apart for the promotion of education. Among the rest of the agencies, Khyber agency would get Rs 114.408 million, Bajaur Rs 136.980 million, Mohmand Rs 104.698 million and Orakzai agency would get Rs 64.304 million in the ADP for the promotion of education.
Apart from that, the education sector of Frontier Region (FR) Peshawar would be given Rs 21.518 million, FR Bannu Rs 17.474 million, FR Kohat Rs 21.107 million, FR Lakki Marwat Rs 3.181 million, FR Tank Rs 34.612 million while FR Dera Ismail Khan would get Rs 48.240 million.