WAPDA (Water and Power Development Authority) has taken yet another initiative to promote education, particularly girls’ education, in the Diamer Basha Dam Project area.
WAPDA approved Rs. 94.23 million funding for 75 schools in District Diamer under the Community Based Accelerated Learning Schools (CBALS) programme.
The initiative will provide primary education to 2,250 out-of-school girls in Chilas, Tangir, and Darel. These schools, operated in collaboration with the READ Foundation, were on the brink of closure due to a paucity of funds.
WAPDA has allocated funds from its contingency budget to ensure their continued operation.
Under the agreed arrangement, these schools will now run for the next three years. These schools will run through a structured collaboration with joint oversight by WAPDA. And the Education Department Gilgit-Baltistan, and the READ Foundation.
WAPDA approved funds for selected schools:
In addition, WAPDA has also approved the rehabilitation of five selected government schools in Tangir and Darel. It also provided essential educational facilities and two coasters for commuting the students. The authority has allocated a sum of Rs. 29.5 million for the purpose.
The WAPDA has taken this initiative on the proposal of Gilgit Baltistan Scouts. The project will implement under the joint supervision of WAPDA, Education Department GB and GB Scouts. Besides repair and rehabilitation works, WAPDA will also provide furniture, stationery, and other essential educational facilities in these schools. In this regard, WAPDA has formally intimated the Deputy Director Education Diamer for prompt implementation of the project.
It is pertinent to mention that WAPDA, under the Diamer Basha Dam Project, has already completed several initiatives to promote education in District Diamer. These included the establishment of Cadet College Chilas at a cost of Rs. 2.10 billion. And an Army Public School in Thor at a cost of Rs. 22.6 million. Moreover, it has also upgraded government schools in Tangir and Darel. WAPDA stated its several other educational projects at various stages will soon get approval and implementation.
