Federal Ministry of Education & Vocational Training planning to launch a free transport service for students & teachers at ICT schools

ISLAMABAD, May 07 (SABAH): As part of its efforts to increase enrollment of girls in schools and improve the female literacy rate, the Federal Ministry of Education and Vocational Training is planning to launch a free transport service for students and teachers at Islamabad Capital Territory schools.

As per the details, around 20 buses from federal educational institutions will be prepared and put on the roads with the support of the district administration.

Students and teachers of public and private educational institutions will be able to travel for free in these buses operating in urban and rural areas of the federal capital with the support of the district administration. These buses, reserved for women and girls, will be painted pink.

Secretary Ministry of Education and Vocational Training Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani said that the ministry has taken this step in view of the increasing dropout rate of girls from schools due to inadequate transport facilities. He added that the internal audit revealed that 30 percent of the total 385 buses of the federal educational institutions were parked due to malfunctioning.

The official said that these buses were not being used due to a lack of budget and drivers and were not being repaired in time.

In future, women will also be allowed to travel in these vehicles subject to the availability of space, he added. He further informed that by June 15, these buses will be ready and will start providing services for students and teachers.