PTI education minister committed Rs1 billion corruption: Maryam Nawaz

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has accused former Education Minister Dr Murad Raas of corruption amounting to Rs1 billion through the Punjab Textbook Board.

During her speech at the Public Schools Reorganising Program, Maryam Nawaz stated that her decision-making process involves going out into the field rather than making decisions solely from her office.

Maryam Nawaz also praised the Minister of Education and his entire team, acknowledging their efforts and expressing confidence in their ability to improve the quality of education in Punjab. She highlighted that, out of 49,000 schools in the province, approximately 14,000 will be managed through a public-private partnership. Addressing concerns about schools being leased out to private entities, she clarified that these rumours are unfounded. “We have not handed over schools to just anyone,” she reassured.

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She highlighted the uneven distribution of resources in schools across the province. In some schools, there are 200 children but only two teachers, while in others, there are 40 teachers and only two students. Some schools have many children but no teachers, and others have many teachers but no students. Maryam Nawaz criticized the governance of the past 4-5 years, referring to it as a “government of so-called wise people.” She accused the PTI administration of conducting all postings and transfers based on bribery.