The Punjab Education Department has accorded permission to the Associate Schools in the state to continue functioning and fulfill norms within this grace period of two years.Disclosing this here today, Mr. Sikander Singh Maluka, Education Minister, Punjab said that this decision was taken in a high level meeting of the officer of Education Department and representative of Associate Schools. ”The Associate Schools, which fulfill desired conditions and are being run in the buildings of 500 square yard or more, could continue their functioning", he adding by saying that if any inadequacy in the infrastructure is found, the affiliation of the concerned school would be cancelled.The Minister further said that the cases of those schools, which are being operated in the area less than 500 square yard, would also be considered sympathetically. He said that the District Education Officers have been instructed to furnish report regarding these schools up till April 5, 2013. Mr. Maluka said that the eligible Associate Schools could start admission for the academic year 2013-14.