PESHAWAR: The Fata Development Working Party has approved a plan to increase scholarships for tribal students from 200 to 2,000 while Montessori system of education would be introduced in 230 government schools across the tribal belt.

A handout issued here said that the number of merit scholarships would be increased gradually. The decision was taken in a meeting held here at the Civil Secretariat, Fata, on Thursday which was chaired by additional chief secretary Mohammad Azam Khan. It said that steps would be taken to enhance quality of education in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) and scholarships would be awarded to 2,000 deserving students. In addition Montessori system would be introduced and necessary equipments and facilities provided in the 230 schools.

An official said that the system had already been introduced in seven schools of Khyber Agency, which was successful. The meeting decided that four years Bachelors Programme would be started in colleges across Fata.

It said that Governor’s Special Protection Programme for widows and orphans would also be implemented in the area immediately. The ACS directed the officials to come up with innovative ideas for promotion of education, especially girls’ education and improvement in health sectors. He also approved introduction of additional technology in polytechnic institutes of tribal area. Director-general monitoring and evaluation was directed to independently verify the progress of schemes and provide pictorial evidence within two weeks.