The Education Department has encountered a major setback by failing to deliver on its promise of providing milk packets to primary school students in government schools across the Rawalpindi Division, despite the commencement of the new academic session. The distribution, initially slated to begin on August 15 with the reopening of schools, has been delayed due to financial difficulties, as reported by The Express Tribune. Sources within the Education Department have attributed the delay to Punjab’s severe financial crisis, exacerbated by the allocation of Rs45 billion for electricity subsidies.
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The program, which was originally intended for all primary schools across Punjab, has now been scaled back. A revised plan will pilot the initiative in two remote districts of South Punjab, starting in mid-September. The program’s expansion to other districts will depend on the pilot’s success and the availability of additional funds. No milk will be distributed in schools across the province until at least August 31. Abdul Rauf Kayani, President of the Rawalpindi District Primary Schools Teachers’ Association, has voiced his disappointment over the situation.
