With current spending of merely 2.05 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on education, the National Education Policy 2009 has recommended an ambitious target of seven percent of the GDP allocation for education by 2015 for the sector.
In response to a question, Parliamentary Secretary Ministry of Education Gul Muhammad Jakhrani told National Assembly here on Friday that the National Education Policy 2009 recommended that 'the government shall commit to allocate seven percent of GDP to education by 2015 and necessary prerequisites be completed in this regard. Formula for proportional allocation (out of available funds) to different sub-sectors of education shall be evolved by the provincial/area governments.'
He said the formula for proportional allocation to different sub-sectors of education will be evolved by the provinces, as after the 18th amendment, education has become a provincial subject. He said the ministry had to keep it in low profile on approval of 18th amendment; however as per strategy the government has devised a policy to achieve the ambitious target of the said allocation.
As per strategy, the government will allocate Rs 14.66 million for education that constitute 2.05 percent of GDP, Rs 18.80 billion in 2011-12 (2.44 percent), Rs 21.29 billion in 2012-13 (4.12 percent), Rs 24.11 billion in 2013-14 (5.41 percent) and Rs 27.29 billion in 2014-15 (7percent).
Meanwhile, Minister for Food and Agriculture Nazar Muhammad Gondal told the National Assembly that the government was importing 225,000 tons of urea from Saudi Arabia to be sold at subsidised rate. Gondal said the country was facing shortage of 225,000 tons urea and the gap was being bridged through import from Saudi Arabia and it would reach Pakistan within a fortnight and clarified that the country has provided no support price on the commodity.
The government would subsidise urea by Rs 800 per bag weighing 50 kilogram and said the DAP prices are increasing due to gas shortage. Minister of State for Industries and Production Ayatullah Durrani told the House that Trading Corporation of Pakistan provided 255,000 tons of sugar to Punjab, 137,000 to Sindh, 106,000 tons to Khyber Pukhtoonkhwa and 51,000 tons to Balochistan.
He said currently 5,700 outlets of Utility Stores Corporation (USC) were operating across the country, where almost 100,000 tons of sugar was supplied for sale on subsidised rates. In response to several points of orders raised by the members over alleged black-marketing of 'Atta' bags, the minister said there might be some black sheep among the ranks of USC, however, an inquiry has been initiated and action would be taken against those found guilty. He, however, dispelled the impression that USC has been selling any sub-standard item.