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39.31bn earmarked in 8th Plan for basic education, NA told ISLAMABAD: Minister for Education Syed Khursheed Shah Monday told the National Assembly that under 8th plan, out of total allocation of Rs 69.031 billion, 39.31 billion has been allocated for basic education.

Replying to a question of Hafiz Muhammad Taqi during question hour, regarding steps taken by the government for "education for all upto to 2000," the Education Minister said that a number of steps were undertaken for making primary schools effective.

He said in order to facilitate the rapid expansion of primary education, Education Foundation have been set-up in all the provinces and at the national level for public private partnership.

He said to eliminate the existing imbalance and disparity between the urban, rural and males and females recruitment age of female teachers has been relaxed to increase their availability. Mobile and crash teachers training programmes of short term duration have been launched for expansion in teacher training network. He said a district basic education survey has been made to develop district basic education plan for all the four provinces.

He said apart from motivational campaigns, primary education has also been made compulsory through legislation in Punjab.

A project for establishment of 10,000 non-formal basic education schools at National levels has been approved and being launched in the provinces.

He said for sharper focus on education and literacy programme, another TV channel has been commissioned.

To another question the Minister said Pakistan stands 194 among 209 countries with reference to literacy rate, according to the World Bank Atlas, 1996.

To a question of Hamza regarding expenditure incurred on the Chairman and MD of PIA on their visits abroad, the Defence Minister Aftab Shahban Mirani said an amount of US $ 85,057 was incurred on visits of the Chairman and $ 10,080 on the visits of Managing Director during the year 1994-95.

To a question of Mian Muhammad Munir allocation of private sector to establish CNG (compressed natural gas), the Parliamentary Secretary for Petroleum said that 73 permission for installation of CNG have been issued in private sector. He said under CNG rules and Petroleum Policy, 1994, the government does not fix the consumer price of CNG.

To a question of Raja Muhammad Afzal regarding issuance of eight PIA tickets from Karachi to Jeddah to Prof N.D. Khan and his family with 48 percent concession during the year 1996, the Defence Minister said PIA MD was authorized eight 48 percent tickets to perform Umra. He said that MD has discretionary powers to grant rebated tickets.-APP