Ministry to give Rs100m to FDE for running school buses.

ISLAMABAD -- Instead of imposing new charges on students, the Ministry of Education has decided to pay Rs100 million to the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) for smooth operation of the bus service of government schools and colleges in the capital.

Talking to Dawn, a senior officer of the Ministry of Education said the FDE would be given Rs100 million in the next couple of weeks for smooth functioning of the bus service without imposing fare charges on the students.

He said the funds would be arranged from various heads of the education ministry.

'We will request the Ministry of Finance for release of Rs100 million in lieu of our funds,' said the officer.

He said facing funds shortage to run the bus service the FDE had last year presented the matter before the federal cabinet, which had then decided to run the bus service on cost-sharing basis.

Move comes after minister directed students should not be charged

Therefore, while implementing the said decision of the cabinet, the FDE had recently empowered the School and College Management Committees to run the bus service on cost-sharing basis, he said.

The officer said the said committees then notified new rates of Rs2,500 per month that attracted criticism from the parents and students.

'Later, on the direction of the education minister, we have already directed the FDE to withdraw the said notification of committees and no new fare should be charged from...