Pakistan to build 'Malala schools' for poor children

Pakistan is planning to honour 15-year-old Malala Yousufzai, who was shot by the Pakistani Taliban for advocating female education, by opening special schools in her name for poor children, officials have said.

Nafisa Shah, chairwoman of the National Commission for Human Development said the 'Malala Schools' are planned for 16 areas around the country affected by conflict or natural disasters, reports the Daily Times.

The aim is to give children in these areas, who often have little in the way of educational opportunities, a chance to go to school, Shah said, but added that money for the scheme had not yet been found.

"We have identified the places and (will) soon launch a fundraising scheme to generate finances for these schools," she said.

Each school, which will provide basic education to both girls and boys, will have two classrooms, a verandah, a toilet and space to extend the building if needed. It will cost around 800,000 rupees.

The Pakistani government has announced a plan to monetarily assist poor families to send their children to school. UN Education Envoy Gordon Brown also held talks in Islamabad at the weekend to begin a plan to bring more than five million out-of-school youngsters into the classroom.

Malala was shot in the neck and head when the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) opened fire on their school van in Swat valley on October 9. She was flown to the UK on October 15 for specialized treatment. She is currently recuperating at a hospital in Birmingham, and is said to be making good progress.