By Khalid Khattak
LAHORE: The Punjab Higher Education Department on Thursday formally asked the Kinnaird College (KC) principal not to remove or surrender any faculty member until the committee formed by the college’s Board of Governors submits its report.The KC Board of Governors (BoG) had formed a three-member committee on December 5, to investigate the allegations levelled by the faculty members against appointment of the KC registrar. The faculty members, in a letter addressed to the BoG chairman, dated 28 October, 2009, had alleged that the appointment of Dr Naima Khurshid as Registrar of Kinnaird College was unjustified. A copy of the letter bearing signatures of 97 KC teachers was made available to The News on Thursday. In the letter, addressed to BoG’s Chairman Dr Alexander John Malik, the faculty members expressed strong resentment over the appointment of Dr Naima as registrar, making it clear that she was not acceptable in any of the administrative capacities at the college. They further maintained that her previous professional record and references in the Queen Mary College were overlooked by the principal at the time of her induction. The teachers had also alleged that the tenure of Dr Naima at KC had been full of questionable activities including an inquiry against her in 2008 when she was appointed as Resident Inspector in Intermediate Examinations. However, on December 23, KC Principal Dr Bernadette L Dean fired seven teachers, repatriating four heads of different departments, since they were government employees, to the Punjab government and terminating services of three others serving on contract basis. It is pertinent to mention that Dr Dean had denied allegations of unjustified appointment of the registrar, claiming that no teacher was victimized and the decision was taken in the best interest of the college. She also rejected the allegation levelled against her, reports say. According to the sources in the department, Higher Education secretary Ahad Khan Cheema took a serious notice of the removal of seven teachers, asking the principal to ‘abstain’ from any action against teachers as her own conduct was under question. The principal was asked not to take any action even against contract teachers since the BoG had ordered an inquiry into alleged irregularities on complaint of the teachers, the sources added. They said, after the constitution of the inquiry committee, the KC teachers had also submitted an application to the department, the inquiry committee and the BoG, alleging that they were being threatened of dire consequences ever since the initiation of the probe. A KC faculty member, seeking anonymity, said the principal had removed seven teachers on last working day ahead of winter and Christmas holidays fearing any resentment from the students. She added the news had created great anxiety among the students who had been sending SMSs through mobile phones to all the teachers expressing complete solidarity with them. When contacted, the Punjab Higher Education Department secretary, Ahad Khan Cheema, confirmed that the KC Principal had formally been asked not to take action against any teacher until the submission of inquiry report as it would be taken as ‘a conflict of interests’. “The principal had also been asked not to remove even teachers serving on contract basis,” he added. Talking to The News, Dr Bernadette L Dean said she did not know about the letter from the department since the college was closed, adding, “I’ll only know when the college reopens after the vacation”.
Source: The News International
Friday, December 25, 2009
Saturday, December 26, 2009
KC shows door to seven teachers
By Khalid Khattak
LAHORE: The administration of Kinnaird College for Women on Wednesday terminated the services of three of its faculty members, repatriating four others to the Punjab government.
According to sources, the faculty members along with some others had pointed fingers at the alleged irregularities in recent admissions, besides showing strong resentment over the appointment of Naima Khursheed as the college’s registrar and head of examination department.
A faculty member, seeking anonymity, said the KC Board of Governors in its meeting held on December 5, had constituted a three-member inquiry committee to investigate different allegations leveled by some faculty members. The ‘action’ against teachers is being taken as a victimization act by the administration, the source said, adding that the teachers had reservation over the said committee as no representative from the education department was part of it.
The faculty members repatriated to the Higher Education Department include Saira Malik, Head of Political Science Department, Shibba Syed, Head of Urdu Department, Farrukh Sohail, Head of Islamic Studies Department and Helen Khokhar, Head of Physics Department
The faculty members whose contract services were terminated include Sadaf Munir and Asma Jamil from the Psychology Department and Zarina Rizvi from Urdu Department.
Talking to The News, Sadaf Munir said the teachers were victimized only because they had raised their voice against the administration’s unjust and unfair policies, including the appointment of Naima Khursheed as college’s registrar. She even claimed the said official was earlier removed by Queen Marry College over allegations of corruption. Sadaf Munir alleged the admissions were made even in October and November, despite the fact the process was completed in September. “They are replacing the best with the worst” she commented, saying those serving on contract were not issued any notices as required by the rules. She also alleged that the administration was asking the teachers to remain silent, issuing threats of consequences.
When contacted, KC Principal Dr Bernadette L Dean denied the allegations, saying no one was victimized. The college administration is free to keep or let someone go, the KC being a private institution, she added.
She said some faculty members were repatriated as the administration was planning to induct highly qualified teachers as faculty members. She said the position of registrar was advertised and the appointment was made purely on merit.
She refuted the allegation that contracts were yet not expired, saying Sadaf Munir had even applied for renewal of her contract.
Dr Dean said two of the faculty members were serving the college on contract after their retirement, adding one of them, Asma Jamil, had even asked her (Principal) to relieve her.
She said, during an interview with students sometime ago, she had held Jesus Christ, Nelson Mandela and Gandhi as her ideal, adding, unfortunately, some faculty members were busy in propaganda against her since then,
To a question, she said the fact-finding committee constituted by the KC BoG had yet to submit its report. Those leveling allegations had even taken a U-turn in the said meeting, claiming their signatures on complaints were forged, she said.
When contacted, Punjab Higher Education Department secretary Ahad Khan Cheema said the department had yet to receive the repatriation orders. However, he added, the KC principal was advised to hold-on until the inquiry committee submitted its report as the conduct of administration was under question.
“At this time, it simply looks like clash of interests”, he commented.
He said the KC was neither a government nor totally private institute, adding it was being run under a special arrangement with its representation from different government departments, including education, finance and law, on its BoG. Naima Khursheed was not available for comments.
Source: The News International
Thursday, December 24, 2009
LAHORE: The administration of Kinnaird College for Women on Wednesday terminated the services of three of its faculty members, repatriating four others to the Punjab government.
According to sources, the faculty members along with some others had pointed fingers at the alleged irregularities in recent admissions, besides showing strong resentment over the appointment of Naima Khursheed as the college’s registrar and head of examination department.
A faculty member, seeking anonymity, said the KC Board of Governors in its meeting held on December 5, had constituted a three-member inquiry committee to investigate different allegations leveled by some faculty members. The ‘action’ against teachers is being taken as a victimization act by the administration, the source said, adding that the teachers had reservation over the said committee as no representative from the education department was part of it.
The faculty members repatriated to the Higher Education Department include Saira Malik, Head of Political Science Department, Shibba Syed, Head of Urdu Department, Farrukh Sohail, Head of Islamic Studies Department and Helen Khokhar, Head of Physics Department
The faculty members whose contract services were terminated include Sadaf Munir and Asma Jamil from the Psychology Department and Zarina Rizvi from Urdu Department.
Talking to The News, Sadaf Munir said the teachers were victimized only because they had raised their voice against the administration’s unjust and unfair policies, including the appointment of Naima Khursheed as college’s registrar. She even claimed the said official was earlier removed by Queen Marry College over allegations of corruption. Sadaf Munir alleged the admissions were made even in October and November, despite the fact the process was completed in September. “They are replacing the best with the worst” she commented, saying those serving on contract were not issued any notices as required by the rules. She also alleged that the administration was asking the teachers to remain silent, issuing threats of consequences.
When contacted, KC Principal Dr Bernadette L Dean denied the allegations, saying no one was victimized. The college administration is free to keep or let someone go, the KC being a private institution, she added.
She said some faculty members were repatriated as the administration was planning to induct highly qualified teachers as faculty members. She said the position of registrar was advertised and the appointment was made purely on merit.
She refuted the allegation that contracts were yet not expired, saying Sadaf Munir had even applied for renewal of her contract.
Dr Dean said two of the faculty members were serving the college on contract after their retirement, adding one of them, Asma Jamil, had even asked her (Principal) to relieve her.
She said, during an interview with students sometime ago, she had held Jesus Christ, Nelson Mandela and Gandhi as her ideal, adding, unfortunately, some faculty members were busy in propaganda against her since then,
To a question, she said the fact-finding committee constituted by the KC BoG had yet to submit its report. Those leveling allegations had even taken a U-turn in the said meeting, claiming their signatures on complaints were forged, she said.
When contacted, Punjab Higher Education Department secretary Ahad Khan Cheema said the department had yet to receive the repatriation orders. However, he added, the KC principal was advised to hold-on until the inquiry committee submitted its report as the conduct of administration was under question.
“At this time, it simply looks like clash of interests”, he commented.
He said the KC was neither a government nor totally private institute, adding it was being run under a special arrangement with its representation from different government departments, including education, finance and law, on its BoG. Naima Khursheed was not available for comments.
Source: The News International
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Kinnaird College students complain of mismanagement in examinations
By Khalid Khattak
LAHORE:Some students of the Kinnaird College for Women have pointed out insufficient arrangements in the ongoing internal examinations, alleging the mismanagement was creating problems for them.
Seeking anonymity for obvious reasons, they said the issue needed to be highlighted as they believed it was against the traditions of Kinnaird College (KC).
During a visit to the KC on Thursday, it was learnt that around 450 students in first shift and around 650 in the second were accommodated in five rooms for the exam, each room having the capacity of not more than 70 students.
Interestingly, only two teachers were performing the duties as invigilators, the students complained saying later three lower grade staffers of the principal office were also assigned the duty.
The students also complained that the shortage of photocopies of question papers remained a routine matter during the exams which added to their miseries. Such irresponsible attitude had exposed the credibility of the exams, they said.
Nevertheless, they said, Physics paper of FSc classes was delayed on last day of intermediate exams on Thursday for over 40 minutes, causing great anxiety among the students.
The Intermediate exams starting from December 8 concluded on December 17 (Thursday) while bachelors’ exams started from December 14 and would end on December 19 (Saturday).
They said the mismanagement during exams of senior students was quite unfortunate as unlike intermediate level students they were in fact attempting their semester wise annual exams.
It is pertinent to mention that KCites had been raising the issue regarding the lack of facilities in the college. The KC students also highlighted the issue of fee hike, lack of facilities during their protest in May, 2008, demanding the college administration provide maximum facilities to them.
A faculty member, seeking anonymity, said teachers of bachelors classes were appointed as invigilators at a time when classes of bachelor programmes were still going on, affecting the studies of students and causing delay in intermediate exams on daily basis.
This correspondent tried to contact KC Principal Dr Bernadette L Dean in her office on Thursday but was denied entry as she was busy in a meeting. Later, an effort on the principal’s cell phone also went futile as she did not attend the call.
However, talking to The News on cell phone on Wednesday, Dr Dean had denied any mismanagement in the exams. She said the exams were being held as per schedule as mentioned in the college prospectus.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Source: The News International
LAHORE:Some students of the Kinnaird College for Women have pointed out insufficient arrangements in the ongoing internal examinations, alleging the mismanagement was creating problems for them.
Seeking anonymity for obvious reasons, they said the issue needed to be highlighted as they believed it was against the traditions of Kinnaird College (KC).
During a visit to the KC on Thursday, it was learnt that around 450 students in first shift and around 650 in the second were accommodated in five rooms for the exam, each room having the capacity of not more than 70 students.
Interestingly, only two teachers were performing the duties as invigilators, the students complained saying later three lower grade staffers of the principal office were also assigned the duty.
The students also complained that the shortage of photocopies of question papers remained a routine matter during the exams which added to their miseries. Such irresponsible attitude had exposed the credibility of the exams, they said.
Nevertheless, they said, Physics paper of FSc classes was delayed on last day of intermediate exams on Thursday for over 40 minutes, causing great anxiety among the students.
The Intermediate exams starting from December 8 concluded on December 17 (Thursday) while bachelors’ exams started from December 14 and would end on December 19 (Saturday).
They said the mismanagement during exams of senior students was quite unfortunate as unlike intermediate level students they were in fact attempting their semester wise annual exams.
It is pertinent to mention that KCites had been raising the issue regarding the lack of facilities in the college. The KC students also highlighted the issue of fee hike, lack of facilities during their protest in May, 2008, demanding the college administration provide maximum facilities to them.
A faculty member, seeking anonymity, said teachers of bachelors classes were appointed as invigilators at a time when classes of bachelor programmes were still going on, affecting the studies of students and causing delay in intermediate exams on daily basis.
This correspondent tried to contact KC Principal Dr Bernadette L Dean in her office on Thursday but was denied entry as she was busy in a meeting. Later, an effort on the principal’s cell phone also went futile as she did not attend the call.
However, talking to The News on cell phone on Wednesday, Dr Dean had denied any mismanagement in the exams. She said the exams were being held as per schedule as mentioned in the college prospectus.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Source: The News International
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
People question donation collection by private schools
By Khalid Khattak
LAHORE: AS more and more people have been opting to send their kids to private sector schools in the wake of low quality education and deteriorating standard of public schools, many are getting upset because of certain “unwanted” practices of these private institutions. Besides complaining about heavy amount charged at the time of admission, people have been expressing concern over heavy fee structure and collection of extra funds under various heads on regular basis.The compulsory purchase of books, uniform and other stationery items from prescribed stores by some of the elite schools are some of the other practices, which have been inviting stakeholders’ criticism over the years.However, there are different opinions over collection of donations on part of private schools by students for various noble causes such as helping flood or quake affectees.There are those who favour the move saying such practices motivate the young minds to help people caught in trouble. “It teaches students that how to contribute for rehabilitation and welfare of fellow human beings,” believes Aleem whose son goes to a leading private school.He further said the school management, where his child was studying, used to ask students to bring donations in case the country faced a catastrophe like recent earthquake in Balochistan and floods in various parts of the country. He added, “Though most of the students do not donate from their own pocket yet they learn how to help those caught in trouble.”Nevertheless, there are those who are against the collection of donations by students saying no one should be forced to contribute. “It is unfortunate that most of the schools make it mandatory for students to bring donations, which is totally wrong,” believes Ali whose children go to an elite school too.He said schools must not make it compulsory for students to bring donations, adding in case someone donates less than others he/she is faced with inferiority complex. “This may put students into an embarrassing situation if they cannot arrange money because of one reason or the other,” he added.“I don’t mean that one should not help those who are in trouble but the point is no one should be compelled rather one should be let to share as he/she likes to,” he further added.He said, “The elite schools generate huge funds then why their management do not donate themselves.” Academic circles are also critical of unbridled working of the private schools. Referring to the Punjab government’s ongoing efforts to amend the Punjab Private Educational Institutions (Promotion and Regulation) Ordinance 1984, they have urged the government to take into account all the factors in this connection.At the same time, they have also urged the government to uplift standard of government schools. They believe it is unfortunate that at present the competition is among private schools only as far as quality education is concerned, saying efforts should be made to ensure a comeback of government schools in this competition.
Source: The News International
Monday, January 26, 2009
LAHORE: AS more and more people have been opting to send their kids to private sector schools in the wake of low quality education and deteriorating standard of public schools, many are getting upset because of certain “unwanted” practices of these private institutions. Besides complaining about heavy amount charged at the time of admission, people have been expressing concern over heavy fee structure and collection of extra funds under various heads on regular basis.The compulsory purchase of books, uniform and other stationery items from prescribed stores by some of the elite schools are some of the other practices, which have been inviting stakeholders’ criticism over the years.However, there are different opinions over collection of donations on part of private schools by students for various noble causes such as helping flood or quake affectees.There are those who favour the move saying such practices motivate the young minds to help people caught in trouble. “It teaches students that how to contribute for rehabilitation and welfare of fellow human beings,” believes Aleem whose son goes to a leading private school.He further said the school management, where his child was studying, used to ask students to bring donations in case the country faced a catastrophe like recent earthquake in Balochistan and floods in various parts of the country. He added, “Though most of the students do not donate from their own pocket yet they learn how to help those caught in trouble.”Nevertheless, there are those who are against the collection of donations by students saying no one should be forced to contribute. “It is unfortunate that most of the schools make it mandatory for students to bring donations, which is totally wrong,” believes Ali whose children go to an elite school too.He said schools must not make it compulsory for students to bring donations, adding in case someone donates less than others he/she is faced with inferiority complex. “This may put students into an embarrassing situation if they cannot arrange money because of one reason or the other,” he added.“I don’t mean that one should not help those who are in trouble but the point is no one should be compelled rather one should be let to share as he/she likes to,” he further added.He said, “The elite schools generate huge funds then why their management do not donate themselves.” Academic circles are also critical of unbridled working of the private schools. Referring to the Punjab government’s ongoing efforts to amend the Punjab Private Educational Institutions (Promotion and Regulation) Ordinance 1984, they have urged the government to take into account all the factors in this connection.At the same time, they have also urged the government to uplift standard of government schools. They believe it is unfortunate that at present the competition is among private schools only as far as quality education is concerned, saying efforts should be made to ensure a comeback of government schools in this competition.
Source: The News International
Monday, January 26, 2009
HRM a challenge to education dept
By Khalid Khattak
LAHORE: HUMAN resource management is one of the major challenges to the authorities of Education Department in Punjab.Despite the fact that the department has been bifurcated into the School Education Department and the Higher Education Department, there is no proper management of the human resource by the authorities concerned. That is why a shortage of teachers and heads of schools and colleges and other staff is frequently reported, especially in institutions situated in far-flung areas. Another important factor related to this ‘mismanagement’ is reluctance of those teachers to teach in schools and colleges for teaching who have served on administrative posts. It is generally observed that most of teachers who are posted against such posts on deputation reluctantly join teaching later and always wait to be posted on coveted managerial posts.Political influence and teacher’s connections in power corridors are believed to be the main hurdles in proper human resource management as the teachers manipulate the authorities to avail the best opportunities. This is quite evident from the fact that dozens of administrators have been awaiting posting for the last many months after their services were placed at the Education department’s disposal for further posting when the PML-N government came into power in the province in 2008. According to sources in both the departments there are 500 high schools in the province, which are functioning without regular heads. Besides, around 100 colleges are working without regular principals.It is important to mention here that after revival of the divisional commissioners in the province, the Higher Education Department and the School Education Department have been working to revive the divisional directorate of colleges and schools. Under the revived system, directors would be appointed at each division. The sources further said a number of senior teachers who had been awaiting posting for the last many months have “succeeded” in getting their names cleared for posting against the new administrative posts. “The department high-ups could not post these senior teachers in schools despite the fact there was a dire need at various institutions,” the sources said, adding: “The use of political influence cannot be ruled out in this regard.”The academic circles are critical of human resource ‘mismanagement’ at the Education department and they are of the opinion that the government should evolve a comprehensive and transparent policy for the department. Meanwhile, a meeting of the National Curriculum Revision Committee (NCRC) of the Higher Education Commission was held at the commission’s regional centre here last week, which reviewed the existing syllabus of the discipline of Social Work being taught at the institutions of higher learning of the country.The committee reviewed the existing syllabus of the discipline and, after having detailed discussion, developed a new curriculum comprising compulsory, foundation, major and elective courses. The committee members were advised to discuss the developed curriculum within their faculty and send the recommendations to the HEC to finalise the same in the forthcoming meeting. The committee unanimously decided now the degree programme of BS Social Work would be of four years and the subjects of modern day importance like environment, disaster management, poverty, financial management, health hygiene, human rights, gender development, social mobilization and participatory development would be included in the revised curriculum. For effective implementation of BS 4-year programme, the committee recommended that the departments of Social Work at all public sector universities of the country would be equipped with facilities like highly qualified faculties, teachers training, research, computer labs, modern libraries and sufficient infrastructure.The committee recommended that a National Council of Social Work should be established under the umbrella of the HEC to enable students of social work to face new challenges of the modern world. It was also decided that the committee would again meet after two months to finalise the draft of the curriculum.—- lachvee@gmail.com
Source: The News International
Monday, February 09, 2009
LAHORE: HUMAN resource management is one of the major challenges to the authorities of Education Department in Punjab.Despite the fact that the department has been bifurcated into the School Education Department and the Higher Education Department, there is no proper management of the human resource by the authorities concerned. That is why a shortage of teachers and heads of schools and colleges and other staff is frequently reported, especially in institutions situated in far-flung areas. Another important factor related to this ‘mismanagement’ is reluctance of those teachers to teach in schools and colleges for teaching who have served on administrative posts. It is generally observed that most of teachers who are posted against such posts on deputation reluctantly join teaching later and always wait to be posted on coveted managerial posts.Political influence and teacher’s connections in power corridors are believed to be the main hurdles in proper human resource management as the teachers manipulate the authorities to avail the best opportunities. This is quite evident from the fact that dozens of administrators have been awaiting posting for the last many months after their services were placed at the Education department’s disposal for further posting when the PML-N government came into power in the province in 2008. According to sources in both the departments there are 500 high schools in the province, which are functioning without regular heads. Besides, around 100 colleges are working without regular principals.It is important to mention here that after revival of the divisional commissioners in the province, the Higher Education Department and the School Education Department have been working to revive the divisional directorate of colleges and schools. Under the revived system, directors would be appointed at each division. The sources further said a number of senior teachers who had been awaiting posting for the last many months have “succeeded” in getting their names cleared for posting against the new administrative posts. “The department high-ups could not post these senior teachers in schools despite the fact there was a dire need at various institutions,” the sources said, adding: “The use of political influence cannot be ruled out in this regard.”The academic circles are critical of human resource ‘mismanagement’ at the Education department and they are of the opinion that the government should evolve a comprehensive and transparent policy for the department. Meanwhile, a meeting of the National Curriculum Revision Committee (NCRC) of the Higher Education Commission was held at the commission’s regional centre here last week, which reviewed the existing syllabus of the discipline of Social Work being taught at the institutions of higher learning of the country.The committee reviewed the existing syllabus of the discipline and, after having detailed discussion, developed a new curriculum comprising compulsory, foundation, major and elective courses. The committee members were advised to discuss the developed curriculum within their faculty and send the recommendations to the HEC to finalise the same in the forthcoming meeting. The committee unanimously decided now the degree programme of BS Social Work would be of four years and the subjects of modern day importance like environment, disaster management, poverty, financial management, health hygiene, human rights, gender development, social mobilization and participatory development would be included in the revised curriculum. For effective implementation of BS 4-year programme, the committee recommended that the departments of Social Work at all public sector universities of the country would be equipped with facilities like highly qualified faculties, teachers training, research, computer labs, modern libraries and sufficient infrastructure.The committee recommended that a National Council of Social Work should be established under the umbrella of the HEC to enable students of social work to face new challenges of the modern world. It was also decided that the committee would again meet after two months to finalise the draft of the curriculum.—- lachvee@gmail.com
Source: The News International
Monday, February 09, 2009
Public schools to offer vocational training
By Khalid Khattak
LAHORE: THE Punjab government has decided to introduce vocational training courses in selected schools of the province in a bid to train schoolchildren in employable skills.The plan envisages imparting vocational training to students of Class 6 and above by providing them with hands-on experience in electronics, woodwork and plumbing etc. In institutions for girls, courses in stitching and dress designing would be offered.At present, technical education and vocational training courses are being offered only at institutions running under the administrative control of the Technical Education & Vocational Training Authority (TEVTA) and the Punjab Vocational Training Council (PVTC).Senior officials of the Punjab Schools Education Department told The News that representatives of the department and the TEVTA were meeting to discuss the launch of vocational training in public sector schools. They said in the first phase, the programme would be launched in 100 schools in each district of the province and this programme would be extended with the passage of time.They said the TEVTA had agreed in principle that it would train schoolteachers. They said the initiative was being taken on special directions of Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif.They said funding issues were being discussed these days and according to estimates, Rs 100,000 would be allocated for each school to ensure availability of necessary equipment needed to launch the programme.A senior official of the department requesting anonymity said the basic idea behind the initiative was to impart vocational training to students in addition to general education so that in case if a student fails to continue general education, he/she might be able to have employable skills needed for technical jobs.Talking to The News, Schools Education Department Secretary Nadeem Ashraf said efforts would be made to introduce vocational training courses in maximum schools from new academic session starting from March 2009.He said special classes of vocational training would be organised in schools and students of Class 6 and above would be offered these courses. He said the department had set a target to introduce vocational courses in 3,500 schools across the province by 2010 academic session.
Source: The News International
Saturday, January 31, 2009
LAHORE: THE Punjab government has decided to introduce vocational training courses in selected schools of the province in a bid to train schoolchildren in employable skills.The plan envisages imparting vocational training to students of Class 6 and above by providing them with hands-on experience in electronics, woodwork and plumbing etc. In institutions for girls, courses in stitching and dress designing would be offered.At present, technical education and vocational training courses are being offered only at institutions running under the administrative control of the Technical Education & Vocational Training Authority (TEVTA) and the Punjab Vocational Training Council (PVTC).Senior officials of the Punjab Schools Education Department told The News that representatives of the department and the TEVTA were meeting to discuss the launch of vocational training in public sector schools. They said in the first phase, the programme would be launched in 100 schools in each district of the province and this programme would be extended with the passage of time.They said the TEVTA had agreed in principle that it would train schoolteachers. They said the initiative was being taken on special directions of Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif.They said funding issues were being discussed these days and according to estimates, Rs 100,000 would be allocated for each school to ensure availability of necessary equipment needed to launch the programme.A senior official of the department requesting anonymity said the basic idea behind the initiative was to impart vocational training to students in addition to general education so that in case if a student fails to continue general education, he/she might be able to have employable skills needed for technical jobs.Talking to The News, Schools Education Department Secretary Nadeem Ashraf said efforts would be made to introduce vocational training courses in maximum schools from new academic session starting from March 2009.He said special classes of vocational training would be organised in schools and students of Class 6 and above would be offered these courses. He said the department had set a target to introduce vocational courses in 3,500 schools across the province by 2010 academic session.
Source: The News International
Saturday, January 31, 2009
PPSC for transparent system of hiring at universities
By Khalid Khattak
LAHORE: THE Punjab Public Service Commission’s proposals to ensure fair and transparent hiring at public universities were presented before the Punjab Assembly on Wednesday.These proposals were submitted to the Chancellor/ Punjab Governor in PPSC Annual Report 2007. The PPSC had said that it had received complaints about favouritism and nepotism in the hiring process at public universities.According to the report, the acts/ordinances of the universities in the province required presence of a member of the Punjab Public Service Commission in the Selection Boards. The provision was incorporated to ensure neutrality, transparency and equity in the selection process, it said.“Most of universities have failed to frame rules, regulations and procedures for a fair and transparent selection,” it said and added that “the participating members of the PPSC are constrained to perform their duties effectively because of either lack of information or not supplying it altogether for proper examination and scrutiny.”The report read that an inquiry had revealed that universities invariably did not even send agenda and minutes of the meeting of the Selection Boards to the Commission for the purpose of checking their veracity. Unfortunately universities even do not have a mechanism to redress maladministration, it added.The PPSC has proposed the Governor/ Chancellor to circulate these instructions to universities. It said all universities should submit their laws, rules and regulations and procedures for selection to the PPSC for scrutiny and examination inviting proposals/ comments for their improvement/ amendments.It proposed that scrutiny of applications should be conducted by a neutral committee of a university headed by the registrar in accordance with conditions of eligibility advertised. It also proposed that rejection letters should be issued to ineligible candidates giving opportunity of appeal within 10 days to the vice-chancellor. The commission report also proposed that only approved minutes by the members of the Selection Boards be submitted to the Syndicate for approval and after its approval the results be declared and issued to the press, displayed on the notice board and websites of universities.The PPSC report also highlights that the standard of professional competence and general awareness of the candidates is continuously on the slide.Maintaining that the PPSC is a statutory body designed to assist the provincial government in selecting human resources for its smooth functioning, the report states the Commission has observed that education standard of the applicants has been on the decline. It reveals that the percentage of failure is the highest in the subject of English. “Mushroom growth of private educational institutions, affiliated with universities without due diligence and adherence to minimum norms and standards, have resulted in the low quality pass outs”, the Commission observes.The report says that educational system was neither need-based nor demand driven resulting in wastage of financial as well as human resources adding graduate pass outs appear to be a perpetual drag on the society. “The impressive academic credentials do not match with the performance both in written exam and interview, with the result that 1,179 posts remained unfilled during 2007 despite high rates of educated unemployed”, the reports claims.The PPSC has underscored the need of quality education at universities, colleges and schools. It has also recommended a uniform system of evaluation for examinations at universities and colleges awarding degrees with a view to reduce the disproportionate edge candidates have owing to marking standards.
Source: The News International
Friday, February 06, 2009
LAHORE: THE Punjab Public Service Commission’s proposals to ensure fair and transparent hiring at public universities were presented before the Punjab Assembly on Wednesday.These proposals were submitted to the Chancellor/ Punjab Governor in PPSC Annual Report 2007. The PPSC had said that it had received complaints about favouritism and nepotism in the hiring process at public universities.According to the report, the acts/ordinances of the universities in the province required presence of a member of the Punjab Public Service Commission in the Selection Boards. The provision was incorporated to ensure neutrality, transparency and equity in the selection process, it said.“Most of universities have failed to frame rules, regulations and procedures for a fair and transparent selection,” it said and added that “the participating members of the PPSC are constrained to perform their duties effectively because of either lack of information or not supplying it altogether for proper examination and scrutiny.”The report read that an inquiry had revealed that universities invariably did not even send agenda and minutes of the meeting of the Selection Boards to the Commission for the purpose of checking their veracity. Unfortunately universities even do not have a mechanism to redress maladministration, it added.The PPSC has proposed the Governor/ Chancellor to circulate these instructions to universities. It said all universities should submit their laws, rules and regulations and procedures for selection to the PPSC for scrutiny and examination inviting proposals/ comments for their improvement/ amendments.It proposed that scrutiny of applications should be conducted by a neutral committee of a university headed by the registrar in accordance with conditions of eligibility advertised. It also proposed that rejection letters should be issued to ineligible candidates giving opportunity of appeal within 10 days to the vice-chancellor. The commission report also proposed that only approved minutes by the members of the Selection Boards be submitted to the Syndicate for approval and after its approval the results be declared and issued to the press, displayed on the notice board and websites of universities.The PPSC report also highlights that the standard of professional competence and general awareness of the candidates is continuously on the slide.Maintaining that the PPSC is a statutory body designed to assist the provincial government in selecting human resources for its smooth functioning, the report states the Commission has observed that education standard of the applicants has been on the decline. It reveals that the percentage of failure is the highest in the subject of English. “Mushroom growth of private educational institutions, affiliated with universities without due diligence and adherence to minimum norms and standards, have resulted in the low quality pass outs”, the Commission observes.The report says that educational system was neither need-based nor demand driven resulting in wastage of financial as well as human resources adding graduate pass outs appear to be a perpetual drag on the society. “The impressive academic credentials do not match with the performance both in written exam and interview, with the result that 1,179 posts remained unfilled during 2007 despite high rates of educated unemployed”, the reports claims.The PPSC has underscored the need of quality education at universities, colleges and schools. It has also recommended a uniform system of evaluation for examinations at universities and colleges awarding degrees with a view to reduce the disproportionate edge candidates have owing to marking standards.
Source: The News International
Friday, February 06, 2009
Monday, February 2, 2009
Major changes likely in BA/BSc, MA/MSc exams
By Khalid Khattak
Major structural changes in the Punjab University’s BA/BSc and MA/MSc examinations are in the offing and are likely to be applied to those candidates who will appear in these exams from varsity’s affiliated colleges or privately from this year.These changes include reorganisation of aggregate system of marking, allowing those candidates of BA/BSc for supplementary exam who fail in two papers and introduction of supplementary exam at MA/MSc level.It is important to mention here that students and teachers have been criticising the PU administration for introducing 45 per cent of aggregate at MA/MSc level a couple of years ago. Under this system, 40 per cent is pass marks of each paper while a candidate has to make 45 per cent total aggregate to pass the exams, which means if a candidate even gets 40 or 41 marks in each of the five papers of MA/MSc, he/she is considered fail.This aggregate system was introduced in 2005 during tenure of VC Lt Gen (Retd) Arshad Mehmood but despite strong resentment from students and teachers, the PU administration could not change it and students continued to suffer. Similarly, students and teachers have been expressing concerns regarding non-availability of an important option for private candidates and those of affiliated colleges of the Punjab University i.e. supplementary exams at MA/MSc level. At present, if a candidate fails in any one subject of MA/MSc exams, he/she has to wait for almost a year to sit in the annual exam, as PU does not offer supplementary exams at this level. Undoubtedly, this has been delaying the youth to start their professional careers, while its worst impact on female students, keeping in view prevailing social norms, could not be ignored. The third major structural change on the cards is allowing all those candidates of BA/BSc exams to sit in supplementary exams who would fail in two subjects. At present, a candidate who fails in only one subject in BA/BSc annual exams is eligible to appear in supplementary exam while all those failing in more than one subject have to appear in annual exam. A senior PU official said keeping in view growing concern of the students and their parents, the university administration was seriously mulling over to bring reforms in the examination system. He said PU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Mujahid Kamran had held several meetings with the Controller of Examinations Zahid Kareem in this connection recently. He further said the supplementary exams at MA/MSc level would also help the university to generate revenue, adding it was too important since universities were facing severe cuts in grants from the government.A consensus has been developed to bring revolutionary changes in the examination system so that candidates might be facilitated to the maximum extent and they might not suffer because of the system, he added.Zahid Kareem talking to The News said there had been deliberations on several important and possible changes in exams at BA/BSc and MA/MSc level. He said issues like aggregate system and supplementary exams would soon be placed before the academic council for final approval.
Source: The News International
Monday, February 02, 2009
MA English result exposes colleges’ performance
By Khalid Khattak
LAHORE: The recently declared result of MA English Annual Examination 2008 has exposed disappointing performance of public sector colleges as a small number of students from these institutions could pass the exam.A study of result revealed that in most of the colleges those passed the exams were late college students (LCSts), which means they had repeated the exam otherwise, pass percentage overall as well as of individual colleges would have dropped further.According to result gazette issued by the Punjab University (PU), a total of 110 students had appeared in the MA English Part-I exam from Government MAO College while only 16 could pass out of which five were fresh candidates and 11 LCSts.From the Govt Queen Marry College 18 students had appeared in the said exam but only one of them could pass it. A total of 33 students appeared in the exam from the Government College, Township, and only eight could pass out of which only two were fresh candidates while six were LCSts.Thirty eight students appeared in the exam from the Govt Islamia College, Railway Road, while only eight could pass the exam out of which four were LCSts and four were fresh. As many as 16 candidates appeared from Govt Islamia, College Civil Lines, while only four could pass the exam out of which three were fresh candidates.The Govt Fatima Jinnah College for Women, Chuna Mandi, however, produced a comparatively better result as 48 candidates appeared in the exam from this college and 28 were declared passed out of which 19 were fresh candidates while nine were LCSts.A comparison of the government colleges of the provincial metropolis and other institutions of the province as well as those of private colleges also highlights that the overall result is not so encouraging in MA English this year. Only 15.6 percent of the candidates could pass the MA English Part-I Exam while in Part-II the pass percentage remained 37.09. According to PU Additional Controller of Examinations Malik Zahir, a total of 8,800 candidates appeared in the Part-I exam out of which only 1,373 could pass the exam. A total of 3,157 candidates appeared in Part-II exam out of which 1,171 were declared successful, he added.Talking to The News a number of students criticised the PU for introducing the changed aggregate system of marking a couple of years back. They said the overall pass percentage had sharply been declining ever since the university had introduced 50 percent aggregate a must to pass the exam.A student, Awais, said the aggregate system was quite harsh for students of colleges unlike for students of universities. Explaining his point, he said students of government colleges who appeared in the MA English exams conducted by the Punjab University (PU) had to sit in the annual exam unlike university students who appeared under semester system at their respective universities.“It is really difficult for college students to achieve this score under the annual system of exams”, he added.Another student said it was quite ironic that the government could not ensure uniformity in the exam system. “Students of colleges are at clear disadvantage”, he said adding, “They (college students) don’t get marks for attendance and assignments as awarded to students under semester system at he universities.”A lecturer, seeking anonymity, said a number of factors were responsible for poor results especially in the MA English exams. He was of the view that “Education being imparted at government institutions right from primary level does not prepare students to be creative and imaginative rather it encourages rote-learning among the students.”He further said since subjects like English literature required creative and analytical approach by the students, all those lacking this had to face trouble while attempting the exam. There are other issues too like shortage of teachers and lack of facilities at government colleges, he added. He, however, also urged the government to ensure a uniform examination system. He said the prevailing disparity was certainly a matter of great concern as colleges and universities were producing different kinds of students despite the fact they were pursuing similar degree. He was of the view that the PU should introduce supplementary exams for MA programmes as a candidate had to wait for almost a year for annual exams each time even if he/she had failed in a single subject.
Source: The News International
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
LAHORE: The recently declared result of MA English Annual Examination 2008 has exposed disappointing performance of public sector colleges as a small number of students from these institutions could pass the exam.A study of result revealed that in most of the colleges those passed the exams were late college students (LCSts), which means they had repeated the exam otherwise, pass percentage overall as well as of individual colleges would have dropped further.According to result gazette issued by the Punjab University (PU), a total of 110 students had appeared in the MA English Part-I exam from Government MAO College while only 16 could pass out of which five were fresh candidates and 11 LCSts.From the Govt Queen Marry College 18 students had appeared in the said exam but only one of them could pass it. A total of 33 students appeared in the exam from the Government College, Township, and only eight could pass out of which only two were fresh candidates while six were LCSts.Thirty eight students appeared in the exam from the Govt Islamia College, Railway Road, while only eight could pass the exam out of which four were LCSts and four were fresh. As many as 16 candidates appeared from Govt Islamia, College Civil Lines, while only four could pass the exam out of which three were fresh candidates.The Govt Fatima Jinnah College for Women, Chuna Mandi, however, produced a comparatively better result as 48 candidates appeared in the exam from this college and 28 were declared passed out of which 19 were fresh candidates while nine were LCSts.A comparison of the government colleges of the provincial metropolis and other institutions of the province as well as those of private colleges also highlights that the overall result is not so encouraging in MA English this year. Only 15.6 percent of the candidates could pass the MA English Part-I Exam while in Part-II the pass percentage remained 37.09. According to PU Additional Controller of Examinations Malik Zahir, a total of 8,800 candidates appeared in the Part-I exam out of which only 1,373 could pass the exam. A total of 3,157 candidates appeared in Part-II exam out of which 1,171 were declared successful, he added.Talking to The News a number of students criticised the PU for introducing the changed aggregate system of marking a couple of years back. They said the overall pass percentage had sharply been declining ever since the university had introduced 50 percent aggregate a must to pass the exam.A student, Awais, said the aggregate system was quite harsh for students of colleges unlike for students of universities. Explaining his point, he said students of government colleges who appeared in the MA English exams conducted by the Punjab University (PU) had to sit in the annual exam unlike university students who appeared under semester system at their respective universities.“It is really difficult for college students to achieve this score under the annual system of exams”, he added.Another student said it was quite ironic that the government could not ensure uniformity in the exam system. “Students of colleges are at clear disadvantage”, he said adding, “They (college students) don’t get marks for attendance and assignments as awarded to students under semester system at he universities.”A lecturer, seeking anonymity, said a number of factors were responsible for poor results especially in the MA English exams. He was of the view that “Education being imparted at government institutions right from primary level does not prepare students to be creative and imaginative rather it encourages rote-learning among the students.”He further said since subjects like English literature required creative and analytical approach by the students, all those lacking this had to face trouble while attempting the exam. There are other issues too like shortage of teachers and lack of facilities at government colleges, he added. He, however, also urged the government to ensure a uniform examination system. He said the prevailing disparity was certainly a matter of great concern as colleges and universities were producing different kinds of students despite the fact they were pursuing similar degree. He was of the view that the PU should introduce supplementary exams for MA programmes as a candidate had to wait for almost a year for annual exams each time even if he/she had failed in a single subject.
Source: The News International
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Government takes over 10 JD schools
By Khalid Khattak
LAHORE: THE Punjab government has appointed administrators in ten selected schools of banned outfit Jamat ud Dawa after intelligence agencies reported that these institutions were promoting extremism.As many as 26 educational institutions of Jamat ud Dawa are operating in various parts of the province but the government has appointed administrators in only 10 selected schools.Sources revealed that following a ban imposed on the JD, intelligence agencies informed the government that ten of JD educational institutions in various parts of Punjab were promoting extremism. “Special lectures promoting Jihad are delivered to students especially at the time of assembly,” sources quoting intelligence reports said.A senior official of the School Education Department seeking anonymity said the move was aimed at resumption of academic activities at JD-run institutions especially in view of the upcoming matriculation annual examinations. He, however, said monitoring will also be job of the administrators. He said the administrators took over on Friday. To a question, he said teachers would not be replaced and they would continue to teach at these institutions.When contacted, Abdullah Muntazir, a spokesman for JD, said the organisation had always worked within the law adding discipline had been the top priority at Dawa schools. He said if there was any JD policy to promote non-academic activities or extremism among students then it would have been followed in all schools not only in ten schools. He said Dawa schools were not only registered with the government but these schools followed government approved syllabus. He said the government had asked principals of Dawa schools to coordinate with the administrators. Education and charity institutions of Jamat ud Dawa were raided on December 11 and its offices were sealed in compliance with the UN Security Council ban imposed in connection with recent Mumbai attacks. Following the ban, the government planned to take administrative control of the educational institutions run by the banned organisation.According to a notification issued by Punjab School Education Department, Muhammad Ashraf (Basic Pay Scale 19) Ex Senior Headmaster has been appointed administrator at Al-Dawa ModelHigher Secondary School, 8-KM Multan Road Lahore, Tanveer Ahmed (BPS-19) Senior Headmaster Government High School Qila Maseeta, Muridke, Sheikhupura at Al Dawa Model School, Al Dawa Centre Markaz-e-Tayyaba, Muridke, Sheikhupura, Humayun Shahid Rashid (BPS-19) Senior Headmaster Government Tariq High School, Sheikhupura at Al Dawa Model High School Shami Road, Sheikhupura, Muhammad Munir Mughal (BPS-19) Senior Headmaster Government Model Town High School Gujranwala at Al Dawa Model School, Kashmir Road, Peoples Colony Gujranwala, Abdul Salam (BPS-19) Senior Headmaster Government High School, Fort Abbas, Bahawalnagar at Al Dawa Model School, Fort Abbas, Bahawalnagar, Muhammad Yousaf Warraich (BPS-19) Senior Headmaster Government Comprehensive School, GT Road Gujrat at Al Dawa Model School, Shadman Colony Gujrat, Muhammad Altaf (BPS-19) Senior Headmaster Government Rafa-e-Aam High School Multan at Al Dawa Model School, Tareen Road Multan, Hamid Saeed (BPS-19) Senior Headmaster Government High School Kehror Pacca, Lodhran at Al Dawa Model School, Kehror Pacca Lodhran, Muhammad Riaz (BPS-19) Senior Headmaster Government MC High School, Okara at Al Dawa Model School, Canal Road Okara and Muhammad Tariq Malik (BPS-17) Headmaster Government High School, Pir Mahal, Toba Tek Singh at Al Dawa Model School, Bhussi Road, Khan Da Chak, Pir Mahal, Toba Tek Singh.
Source: The News International
Saturday, December 27, 2008
LAHORE: THE Punjab government has appointed administrators in ten selected schools of banned outfit Jamat ud Dawa after intelligence agencies reported that these institutions were promoting extremism.As many as 26 educational institutions of Jamat ud Dawa are operating in various parts of the province but the government has appointed administrators in only 10 selected schools.Sources revealed that following a ban imposed on the JD, intelligence agencies informed the government that ten of JD educational institutions in various parts of Punjab were promoting extremism. “Special lectures promoting Jihad are delivered to students especially at the time of assembly,” sources quoting intelligence reports said.A senior official of the School Education Department seeking anonymity said the move was aimed at resumption of academic activities at JD-run institutions especially in view of the upcoming matriculation annual examinations. He, however, said monitoring will also be job of the administrators. He said the administrators took over on Friday. To a question, he said teachers would not be replaced and they would continue to teach at these institutions.When contacted, Abdullah Muntazir, a spokesman for JD, said the organisation had always worked within the law adding discipline had been the top priority at Dawa schools. He said if there was any JD policy to promote non-academic activities or extremism among students then it would have been followed in all schools not only in ten schools. He said Dawa schools were not only registered with the government but these schools followed government approved syllabus. He said the government had asked principals of Dawa schools to coordinate with the administrators. Education and charity institutions of Jamat ud Dawa were raided on December 11 and its offices were sealed in compliance with the UN Security Council ban imposed in connection with recent Mumbai attacks. Following the ban, the government planned to take administrative control of the educational institutions run by the banned organisation.According to a notification issued by Punjab School Education Department, Muhammad Ashraf (Basic Pay Scale 19) Ex Senior Headmaster has been appointed administrator at Al-Dawa ModelHigher Secondary School, 8-KM Multan Road Lahore, Tanveer Ahmed (BPS-19) Senior Headmaster Government High School Qila Maseeta, Muridke, Sheikhupura at Al Dawa Model School, Al Dawa Centre Markaz-e-Tayyaba, Muridke, Sheikhupura, Humayun Shahid Rashid (BPS-19) Senior Headmaster Government Tariq High School, Sheikhupura at Al Dawa Model High School Shami Road, Sheikhupura, Muhammad Munir Mughal (BPS-19) Senior Headmaster Government Model Town High School Gujranwala at Al Dawa Model School, Kashmir Road, Peoples Colony Gujranwala, Abdul Salam (BPS-19) Senior Headmaster Government High School, Fort Abbas, Bahawalnagar at Al Dawa Model School, Fort Abbas, Bahawalnagar, Muhammad Yousaf Warraich (BPS-19) Senior Headmaster Government Comprehensive School, GT Road Gujrat at Al Dawa Model School, Shadman Colony Gujrat, Muhammad Altaf (BPS-19) Senior Headmaster Government Rafa-e-Aam High School Multan at Al Dawa Model School, Tareen Road Multan, Hamid Saeed (BPS-19) Senior Headmaster Government High School Kehror Pacca, Lodhran at Al Dawa Model School, Kehror Pacca Lodhran, Muhammad Riaz (BPS-19) Senior Headmaster Government MC High School, Okara at Al Dawa Model School, Canal Road Okara and Muhammad Tariq Malik (BPS-17) Headmaster Government High School, Pir Mahal, Toba Tek Singh at Al Dawa Model School, Bhussi Road, Khan Da Chak, Pir Mahal, Toba Tek Singh.
Source: The News International
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Report sought from private schools charging Rs 2,500 fee
By Khalid Khattak
LAHORE: THE Punjab Schools Education Department has asked the leading private schools, which have been charging Rs 2,500 and more as minimum fee per student per month, to send details regarding their fee structure being implemented from class 1 to class 10.The News has learnt that the department aims to present the data before the committee recently constituted by the chief minister to review the existing Punjab Private Educational Institutions (Promotion and Regulation) Ordinance 1984, and to propose suitable amendments in the Ordinance with the view to establish a standard for infrastructure, teaching staff and adopted syllabus, curriculum and examination system of the private sector schools.Officials of the department privy to the developments said the government was committed to cap fee structure of the private schools, as there had been growing concern by people in this regard. They added in return, the government would also reciprocate by giving certain relaxation in different types of taxes, etc.They said the Secretary Schools Nadeem Ashraf had recently ordered uniform registration policy under which all the private schools would be registered for a period of five years. “Earlier, there was no such uniform policy, which was a matter of great concern for the private schools”, they added.The officials further said since the Punjab Private Educational Institutions (Promotion and Regulation) Ordinance 1984 did not mention specific period of registration, in many cases open-ended registrations were also granted to private schools in past. “This created a lot of confusion among the stakeholders”, they said, adding, “The uniform registration policy will be a great service for private sector as well as for the department.”A senior official of the Schools Education Department, seeking anonymity, said that never in the past elite private schools had been asked by the department to share details about the fee structure. He said the data would be presented before the Chief Minister’s special committee so that it might propose relevant amendments in the 1984 Ordinance necessary to cap fee structure of private schools. He said there had been great concern among the stakeholders that elite private schools had been charging heavy fees with frequent increases while facilities provided to students both in term of academic and infrastructure were not in proportion to the fee charged. “There have also been reservations about various kinds of other charges being colleted by private schools”, he said adding, “The mandatory purchase of books and uniforms from prescribed stores was another issue”. The official further said all those elite schools, which had been offering matriculation stream and charging Rs 2,500 and more as monthly fee had been asked to send details about fee structure to the department.To a question, he said fee charged from students seeking foreign qualifications like O and A level had not been asked by the department.It is pertinent to mention here that the Punjab government is currently working to establish an autonomous regulatory institution to oversee fee structure, registration, quality assurance and other aspects of private sector schools and in this connection, a committee comprising educationists, MPAs and private schools representatives had already been formed.The committee would propose structure, constitution and legal framework for an autonomous regulatory institution for private schools operating across the province.
Source: The News International
Friday, January 23, 2009
LAHORE: THE Punjab Schools Education Department has asked the leading private schools, which have been charging Rs 2,500 and more as minimum fee per student per month, to send details regarding their fee structure being implemented from class 1 to class 10.The News has learnt that the department aims to present the data before the committee recently constituted by the chief minister to review the existing Punjab Private Educational Institutions (Promotion and Regulation) Ordinance 1984, and to propose suitable amendments in the Ordinance with the view to establish a standard for infrastructure, teaching staff and adopted syllabus, curriculum and examination system of the private sector schools.Officials of the department privy to the developments said the government was committed to cap fee structure of the private schools, as there had been growing concern by people in this regard. They added in return, the government would also reciprocate by giving certain relaxation in different types of taxes, etc.They said the Secretary Schools Nadeem Ashraf had recently ordered uniform registration policy under which all the private schools would be registered for a period of five years. “Earlier, there was no such uniform policy, which was a matter of great concern for the private schools”, they added.The officials further said since the Punjab Private Educational Institutions (Promotion and Regulation) Ordinance 1984 did not mention specific period of registration, in many cases open-ended registrations were also granted to private schools in past. “This created a lot of confusion among the stakeholders”, they said, adding, “The uniform registration policy will be a great service for private sector as well as for the department.”A senior official of the Schools Education Department, seeking anonymity, said that never in the past elite private schools had been asked by the department to share details about the fee structure. He said the data would be presented before the Chief Minister’s special committee so that it might propose relevant amendments in the 1984 Ordinance necessary to cap fee structure of private schools. He said there had been great concern among the stakeholders that elite private schools had been charging heavy fees with frequent increases while facilities provided to students both in term of academic and infrastructure were not in proportion to the fee charged. “There have also been reservations about various kinds of other charges being colleted by private schools”, he said adding, “The mandatory purchase of books and uniforms from prescribed stores was another issue”. The official further said all those elite schools, which had been offering matriculation stream and charging Rs 2,500 and more as monthly fee had been asked to send details about fee structure to the department.To a question, he said fee charged from students seeking foreign qualifications like O and A level had not been asked by the department.It is pertinent to mention here that the Punjab government is currently working to establish an autonomous regulatory institution to oversee fee structure, registration, quality assurance and other aspects of private sector schools and in this connection, a committee comprising educationists, MPAs and private schools representatives had already been formed.The committee would propose structure, constitution and legal framework for an autonomous regulatory institution for private schools operating across the province.
Source: The News International
Friday, January 23, 2009
PU leases land to telecom companies
By Khalid Khattak
LAHORE: THE Punjab University (PU) in a bid to generate revenue in the wake of severe cuts in grants by the federal government has leased its land to three cellular mobile companies for installation of towers.It is learnt that cellular mobile companies Warid Telecom, Mobilink and Zong have entered into a ten-year agreement with the PU.A senior PU official said university authorities felt the need to find ways to generate revenue as public sector universities were now receiving “meagre” funding from the Higher Education Commission.He said besides installation of towers, the PU administration had also invited telecom operators to use campus space for advertisement purposes. “The initiative is aimed at generating funds by allowing companies to advertise their products through billboards and temporary stalls on the campus etc,” he said.Talking to The News, a senior PU teacher seeking anonymity expressed concern over the initiative. He said quoting research reports that tower radiations were harmful and the university administration should have conducted a study of the impact of radiation on students, teachers and employees of the Punjab University. The varsity should have taken steps to counter any such danger, he added. “Unfortunately, the PU administration did not conduct any study or survey before entering into the agreement,” he claimed.There are more than 65 million mobile phones users in Pakistan and it is expected that this figure may increase to 80 million by 2010.The PU official said mobile phone companies were investing a lot in expansion of the infrastructure to meet the rising demand. He said antennas were mounted on towers and would not expose students and teachers to harmful radiation.Resident Officer (RO-II) Malik Zaheer said the PU would receive Rs 6 million annually by allowing cell phone companies to install towers on the campus. He said agreement was signed for a period of ten years with 10 percent increase annually.To a question, he said such towers were installed everywhere and did not have any harmful impact on the people. “We, however, have leased land with thin population in proximity,” he said.Malik said the areas where these towers would be erected are hostel side water tank No 3, near Shah Di Khoi, PU New Campus, near the university’s main library and area adjacent to residential colony of the varsity staff. When contacted, PU registrar Prof Dr Muhammad Naeem Khan said the agreement was technically and economically feasible.
Source: The News International
Friday, January 16, 2009
LAHORE: THE Punjab University (PU) in a bid to generate revenue in the wake of severe cuts in grants by the federal government has leased its land to three cellular mobile companies for installation of towers.It is learnt that cellular mobile companies Warid Telecom, Mobilink and Zong have entered into a ten-year agreement with the PU.A senior PU official said university authorities felt the need to find ways to generate revenue as public sector universities were now receiving “meagre” funding from the Higher Education Commission.He said besides installation of towers, the PU administration had also invited telecom operators to use campus space for advertisement purposes. “The initiative is aimed at generating funds by allowing companies to advertise their products through billboards and temporary stalls on the campus etc,” he said.Talking to The News, a senior PU teacher seeking anonymity expressed concern over the initiative. He said quoting research reports that tower radiations were harmful and the university administration should have conducted a study of the impact of radiation on students, teachers and employees of the Punjab University. The varsity should have taken steps to counter any such danger, he added. “Unfortunately, the PU administration did not conduct any study or survey before entering into the agreement,” he claimed.There are more than 65 million mobile phones users in Pakistan and it is expected that this figure may increase to 80 million by 2010.The PU official said mobile phone companies were investing a lot in expansion of the infrastructure to meet the rising demand. He said antennas were mounted on towers and would not expose students and teachers to harmful radiation.Resident Officer (RO-II) Malik Zaheer said the PU would receive Rs 6 million annually by allowing cell phone companies to install towers on the campus. He said agreement was signed for a period of ten years with 10 percent increase annually.To a question, he said such towers were installed everywhere and did not have any harmful impact on the people. “We, however, have leased land with thin population in proximity,” he said.Malik said the areas where these towers would be erected are hostel side water tank No 3, near Shah Di Khoi, PU New Campus, near the university’s main library and area adjacent to residential colony of the varsity staff. When contacted, PU registrar Prof Dr Muhammad Naeem Khan said the agreement was technically and economically feasible.
Source: The News International
Friday, January 16, 2009
Rs17,88,177 recovered from GCU VC as penal rent
By Khalid Khattak
LAHORE: THE Punjab government has recovered an amount of Rs17,88,177 from Government College University Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Khalid Aftab as penal rent for his residence.Sources in the Services and General Administration Department (S&GAD) told The News on Tuesday that the GCU VC had been paying normal rent for his residence at 4-Club Lane, GOR-I, Upper Mall, since Sep 12, 2004, adding that since the GCU was an autonomous institution, its VC was not entitled to have an accommodation belonging to S&GAD on normal rent. All those belong to semi-government services/autonomous institutions had to pay penal rent instead of normal rent if they wanted to get accommodation belonging to the S&GAD, they added. The sources maintained that the GCU vice-chancellor had been occupying the GOR-I residence since he was principal of the then government college (GC). At that time, he was entitled to pay normal rent since the GC was a public sector college, they said, adding that after the GC was raised to the status of a university, the VC was supposed to pay penal rent instead of normal rent. “However the GCU VC continued to pay normal rent instead of penal rent”, they said. The sources further said the matter came to light recently when the GCU VC applied for getting extension regarding the his accommodation. A S&GAD letter, addressed to Dr Khalid Aftab, dated Nov 18, 2008, whose copy is available with The News, states: “I am directed to inform you that you are not entitled to an accommodation belonging to the S&GAD, thus you will have to pay penal rent and that non-drawl of house rent allowance from an autonomous body’s budget has no use for the Government of the Punjab”.Following this, the GCU Assistant Treasurer paid the outstanding amount on Dec 23, 2008, a copy of the said challan is also available with The News. When contacted Additional Chief Secretary Javed Aslam said as the GCU was an autonomous institution, its VC was not entitled to accommodation belonging to S&GAD on normal rent. He said the government recovered outstanding amount as penal rent at 60 per cent of the pay since Dr Khalid Aftab had only been paying normal rent since he became the GCU VC. When contacted Dr Khalid Aftab refused to comment.
Source: The News International
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
LAHORE: THE Punjab government has recovered an amount of Rs17,88,177 from Government College University Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Khalid Aftab as penal rent for his residence.Sources in the Services and General Administration Department (S&GAD) told The News on Tuesday that the GCU VC had been paying normal rent for his residence at 4-Club Lane, GOR-I, Upper Mall, since Sep 12, 2004, adding that since the GCU was an autonomous institution, its VC was not entitled to have an accommodation belonging to S&GAD on normal rent. All those belong to semi-government services/autonomous institutions had to pay penal rent instead of normal rent if they wanted to get accommodation belonging to the S&GAD, they added. The sources maintained that the GCU vice-chancellor had been occupying the GOR-I residence since he was principal of the then government college (GC). At that time, he was entitled to pay normal rent since the GC was a public sector college, they said, adding that after the GC was raised to the status of a university, the VC was supposed to pay penal rent instead of normal rent. “However the GCU VC continued to pay normal rent instead of penal rent”, they said. The sources further said the matter came to light recently when the GCU VC applied for getting extension regarding the his accommodation. A S&GAD letter, addressed to Dr Khalid Aftab, dated Nov 18, 2008, whose copy is available with The News, states: “I am directed to inform you that you are not entitled to an accommodation belonging to the S&GAD, thus you will have to pay penal rent and that non-drawl of house rent allowance from an autonomous body’s budget has no use for the Government of the Punjab”.Following this, the GCU Assistant Treasurer paid the outstanding amount on Dec 23, 2008, a copy of the said challan is also available with The News. When contacted Additional Chief Secretary Javed Aslam said as the GCU was an autonomous institution, its VC was not entitled to accommodation belonging to S&GAD on normal rent. He said the government recovered outstanding amount as penal rent at 60 per cent of the pay since Dr Khalid Aftab had only been paying normal rent since he became the GCU VC. When contacted Dr Khalid Aftab refused to comment.
Source: The News International
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
Young students have it tough
By Khalid Khattak
ONE of the bitter facts about primary (Class-5) and middle standard (Class-8) annual examinations, scheduled in February 2009, is that the young candidates will attempt the exams based on knowledge they have gained in four months.These students were supposed to take annual examinations after attending their schools for one full academic year but change in start of academic session has now put these young minds in trouble. Such a disappointing situation aptly exposes what happens when the stakeholders are not consulted in policymaking. A few years ago, the federal government had changed its policy regarding start of academic session from September following which admission season started to commence from March. However soon after the said decision, provinces started to raise concern over the change on the plea under September-start session exams were conducted in hot seasons like May and June.The government had to face a lot of criticism and finally the decision was reverted and it was agreed that from 2009 onward academic session would commence from March across the country. It is because of this change that those who were admitted to schools in September 2008 would be attempting the annual exams of primary and middle standard in February 2009.The unpleasant impact of prolonged loadshedding, owing to prevailing power crisis, is nevertheless another bitter fact in connection with students’ preparation for the exams. Talking to The News parents of a number of students expressed concern in connection with upcoming exams of Class-5 and Class-8 to be conducted on uniform/universal basis across the province by the Punjab Examination Commission (PEC).They said it was strange that students who had attended their schools for almost four months would be examined from a course which was meant to be taught to them during the whole academic year. Muhammad Aleem, a concerned father, said, “It is tragic that stakeholders are not involved in policy making in our country,” adding “That’s why each time a policy is reverted the stakeholders have to suffer.” He said those who got admission in September 2008 were not ready for February 2009 exams. He added if weekly, winter and other holidays were excluded from this period; the students had approximately four months study time.“However the provincial government has no other option but to test the young minds as this year the academic session would commence from March”, he added.Another concerned citizen, Arshad, said the horrific impact of prevailing loadshedding on students’ performance in the upcoming exams could not be ignored. He further said delay in provision of textbooks to the students had also been a concern of poor parents. “All these factors, no doubt, would hamper performance of the students in upcoming exams”, he added.“All these facts exposes as if the government is making mockery of the education system”, he added.Academic circles have also expressed concern over non-involvement of stakeholders in the policy urging the government to always seek input of students and teachers in shaping any educational policy.
Source: The News International
Monday, January 12, 2009
ONE of the bitter facts about primary (Class-5) and middle standard (Class-8) annual examinations, scheduled in February 2009, is that the young candidates will attempt the exams based on knowledge they have gained in four months.These students were supposed to take annual examinations after attending their schools for one full academic year but change in start of academic session has now put these young minds in trouble. Such a disappointing situation aptly exposes what happens when the stakeholders are not consulted in policymaking. A few years ago, the federal government had changed its policy regarding start of academic session from September following which admission season started to commence from March. However soon after the said decision, provinces started to raise concern over the change on the plea under September-start session exams were conducted in hot seasons like May and June.The government had to face a lot of criticism and finally the decision was reverted and it was agreed that from 2009 onward academic session would commence from March across the country. It is because of this change that those who were admitted to schools in September 2008 would be attempting the annual exams of primary and middle standard in February 2009.The unpleasant impact of prolonged loadshedding, owing to prevailing power crisis, is nevertheless another bitter fact in connection with students’ preparation for the exams. Talking to The News parents of a number of students expressed concern in connection with upcoming exams of Class-5 and Class-8 to be conducted on uniform/universal basis across the province by the Punjab Examination Commission (PEC).They said it was strange that students who had attended their schools for almost four months would be examined from a course which was meant to be taught to them during the whole academic year. Muhammad Aleem, a concerned father, said, “It is tragic that stakeholders are not involved in policy making in our country,” adding “That’s why each time a policy is reverted the stakeholders have to suffer.” He said those who got admission in September 2008 were not ready for February 2009 exams. He added if weekly, winter and other holidays were excluded from this period; the students had approximately four months study time.“However the provincial government has no other option but to test the young minds as this year the academic session would commence from March”, he added.Another concerned citizen, Arshad, said the horrific impact of prevailing loadshedding on students’ performance in the upcoming exams could not be ignored. He further said delay in provision of textbooks to the students had also been a concern of poor parents. “All these factors, no doubt, would hamper performance of the students in upcoming exams”, he added.“All these facts exposes as if the government is making mockery of the education system”, he added.Academic circles have also expressed concern over non-involvement of stakeholders in the policy urging the government to always seek input of students and teachers in shaping any educational policy.
Source: The News International
Monday, January 12, 2009
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