LAHORE: Punjab Minister for Education Rana Sikandar Hayat directed to increase the number of Daanish Schools and provide proper facilities in these schools located in Mianwali, Attock, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur and Vehari.
The minister issued these directions while chairing the 37th meeting of the Punjab Daanish Schools and Centre of Excellence Authority here on 10-July-2025. Managing Director Ahmer Mallick presented a comprehensive briefing on the Authority’s performance. The meeting approved the operationalism of four new Daanish Schools (for boys and girls) in Taunsa and Mankera, as well as the commencement of classes of new Centre of Excellence in Chakwal and Pir Mahal within the current year. Additionally, the construction of a new Centre of Excellence in Phool Nagar, District Kasur, and its inclusion in the Annual Development Programme (ADP) was also approved.
The forum endorsed the proposal to increase the number of students admitted from Balochistan under the provincial quota across all Daanish Schools in Punjab. Appreciating the strong public response evident from 17 applications being received per available seat Rana Sikandar termed it a testament to the public confidence in the quality and performance of Daanish Schools.
He welcomed the achievement that 84% of Daanish School graduates have successfully secured admissions to various top universities.
He noted that Daanish Schools are providing quality education to underprivileged children and called for the expansion of the network into the densely populated regions of Northern and Central Punjab.
The minister emphasised that no student of a Daanish School should be deprived of higher education due to financial constraints and directed that such students be supported through the Honhaar and PEEF Scholarship Programmes.
Published in News Daily on 11-July-2025.
