LAHORE - The Punjab government has allocated Rs59.43 billion for education sector in the provincial budget for 2015-16, which is approximately Rs12.721b more than the allocations made for the outgoing fiscal year.
The provincial government allocated Rs1,462.596m for Higher Education Commission. Out of Rs46.712b of outgoing fiscal year, only Rs37.25b was spent in 2014-15 whereas more than Rs9.4b (20 per cent) was not spent in the fiscal 2014-15.
The allocation for development budget in 2015-16 is Rs44.16b whereas Rs38.2b was earmarked in 2014-15. However, only Rs19.07b was spent in 2014-15 and more than Rs19.1b (50 per cent) was not spent in fiscal 2014-15.
Meanwhile, in a press statement Punjab Education Minister Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan said that the Punjab government allocated record amount for education sector in the budget 2015-16.
He claimed that provision of quality education is top priority of the government and several initiatives would be taken during next fiscal year in this regard. He said that 5,000 new schools would be set up throughout province whereas missing facilities would be provided in 7,500 schools.
New universities would be set up in Jhang and Sahiwal whereas sub-campus of Bahaud Din Zikriya University would be built in Vehari, he added.