By Khalid Khattak
AN ANALYSIS of results of intermediate and bachelor’s degree exams announced recently exposes the deteriorating standard of arts education as the pass percentage of science students is higher than those learning the humanities.Interestingly, the number of students attempting exams in humanities is much higher than that of science subjects. According to the intermediate results announced by the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE), Lahore, the total number of candidates who appeared in pre-medical and pre-engineering groups was 9,900 out of which 7,601 remained successful at a percentage of 76.78.On the other hand, 64,066 candidates appeared in the humanities and other groups and only 25,600 passed the exam at an overall pass percentage of 39.96. Similarly, the results of BA/BSc annual exam announced by the Punjab University (PU) this year show poor performance of social sciences students. According to details, this year 151,932 candidates had appeared in the PU’s BA examination, out of which only 34,010 could get through the exam at a percentage of 22.39. Whereas 18,418 students had appeared in the BSc exam and 7,339 got successful at 39.85 pass percentage.The statistical analysis also brings to light the poor performance of most of the government colleges as far as results of arts-education are concerned. The results also show that the performance of arts students in the subject of English is poorer than those studying sciences.The academic circles are very critical of deteriorating standard of arts education. They say study of the social sciences should also be encouraged because they are as important as the sciences. They believe that lack of commitment on part of teachers and students is one of the contributing factors for poor results.It is generally observed that most of the science students join private tuition centres and academies where they pay subjectwise fees. On an average, an academy charges Rs 800 to Rs 1,500 per month for each science subject. Keeping in view mushroom growth of coaching centres and inclination of students and their parents towards such “knowledge-houses”, it can be said without any doubt that they play a major role in enhancing the performance of students during exams. Educationists and academicians also believe that the increasing tuition-culture is evidence of the fact that public sector colleges are not fulfilling their responsibilities owing to which students have to rely on private coaching for securing good grades in exams.It is yet another reality that most of the public school/college teachers who teach science subjects are running their own tuition centres which are also attended by their college’s students, privately. Academic circles are of the view that the government should take notice of the increasing trend and it should make all-out efforts to provide quality education to the students at public sector schools and colleges. They also stress the need of encouraging teachers to deliver the best with commitment and dedication.
Source: The News International
Monday, August 25, 2008
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Govt colleges show extremely poor results
By Khalid Khattak
LAHORE: Most of the government colleges of the provincial metropolis showed extremely poor results in the BA/BSc annual examination 2008 exposing the deteriorating standard of education and lack of commitment on part of students and teachers.According to the statistical analysis issued by the Punjab University, as many as 81 candidates appeared in the BA exam from Govt Islamia College Railway Road out of which only 5 could pass the exam with a pass percentage of 6.17. As many as 49 candidates from the same college appeared in the BSc exam while only 12 of them were declared successful with a pass percentage of 24.49. The pass percentage of Govt College Ravi Road, Shahdara in BA remained only 6.67 as just one candidate out of 15 who appeared in the exam, was declared successful. In the BSc, the college produced 25 percent result as one out of four students passed the exam.Only three students of Govt Degree College for Boys Raiwind out of 26 passed the BA exam while overall pass percentage of the college remained 11.54. A total of 24 students appeared in the BA exam from Govt Dyal Singh College out of which only 2 were declared successful with a pass percentage of 8.33. In BSc, the college produced 21.05 percent result as 4 out of 19 students could pass the exam. Govt Degree College for Boys Model Town also produced poor results in BA and BSc as pass percentage of both the exams remained 10.34 and 9.09 respectively. About 29 students appeared in BA out of which 3 passed while 11 had appeared in BSc out of which only one was declared successful.As many as 262 candidates had appeared in BA exam from Govt MAO College out of which only 51 graduated with 19.47 as pass percentage. In the BSc exam the college produced 23.48 percent result as 27 candidates out of 115 appeared had passed the exam.The performance of Govt Shalimar College Baghbanpura was also not so encouraging as in BA the college produced 18.28 percent results while in BSc the pass percentage was 29.51. Govt College Township produced only 19.23 percent results in BA exam while in BSc the result was 43.59 percent. Govt College of Science Wahdat Road produced 23.26 percent results in BA exam while in the BSc the college’s result is 32.54 percent.Some of the government colleges which produced relatively better results include Govt Queen Mary College (BA 76.56 percent and BSc 86.98 percent), Govt College for Women Gulberg (BA 55.42 percent and BSc 77.94 percent), Govt College for Women Baghbanpura (BA 36.94 percent and BSc 74.70 percent), Govt Fatima Jinnah College for Women Chuna Mandi (BA 56.91 percent and BSc 78.48 percent) and Govt College for Women Samanabad (BA 38.88 percent and BSc 71.43 percent) etc.
Source: The News International
August 24, 2008.
LAHORE: Most of the government colleges of the provincial metropolis showed extremely poor results in the BA/BSc annual examination 2008 exposing the deteriorating standard of education and lack of commitment on part of students and teachers.According to the statistical analysis issued by the Punjab University, as many as 81 candidates appeared in the BA exam from Govt Islamia College Railway Road out of which only 5 could pass the exam with a pass percentage of 6.17. As many as 49 candidates from the same college appeared in the BSc exam while only 12 of them were declared successful with a pass percentage of 24.49. The pass percentage of Govt College Ravi Road, Shahdara in BA remained only 6.67 as just one candidate out of 15 who appeared in the exam, was declared successful. In the BSc, the college produced 25 percent result as one out of four students passed the exam.Only three students of Govt Degree College for Boys Raiwind out of 26 passed the BA exam while overall pass percentage of the college remained 11.54. A total of 24 students appeared in the BA exam from Govt Dyal Singh College out of which only 2 were declared successful with a pass percentage of 8.33. In BSc, the college produced 21.05 percent result as 4 out of 19 students could pass the exam. Govt Degree College for Boys Model Town also produced poor results in BA and BSc as pass percentage of both the exams remained 10.34 and 9.09 respectively. About 29 students appeared in BA out of which 3 passed while 11 had appeared in BSc out of which only one was declared successful.As many as 262 candidates had appeared in BA exam from Govt MAO College out of which only 51 graduated with 19.47 as pass percentage. In the BSc exam the college produced 23.48 percent result as 27 candidates out of 115 appeared had passed the exam.The performance of Govt Shalimar College Baghbanpura was also not so encouraging as in BA the college produced 18.28 percent results while in BSc the pass percentage was 29.51. Govt College Township produced only 19.23 percent results in BA exam while in BSc the result was 43.59 percent. Govt College of Science Wahdat Road produced 23.26 percent results in BA exam while in the BSc the college’s result is 32.54 percent.Some of the government colleges which produced relatively better results include Govt Queen Mary College (BA 76.56 percent and BSc 86.98 percent), Govt College for Women Gulberg (BA 55.42 percent and BSc 77.94 percent), Govt College for Women Baghbanpura (BA 36.94 percent and BSc 74.70 percent), Govt Fatima Jinnah College for Women Chuna Mandi (BA 56.91 percent and BSc 78.48 percent) and Govt College for Women Samanabad (BA 38.88 percent and BSc 71.43 percent) etc.
Source: The News International
August 24, 2008.
Govt schools performance poor
By Khalid Khattak
LAHORE: THE 2008 annual Matriculation examination results have exposed the performance of government schools as private schools students have clinched almost all top positions.Noman Khadam, student of a private school, National Model High School Hiran Minar Road, Sheikhupura, secured the over all top position. Muhammad Awais and Hafiz Muhammad Saleem who shared the overall second position respectively also studied at a private school, Pakistan Model High School for Boys Raiwind Road, Kasur. Hafiz Furqan Malik of Government High School Shahdara, however, was the only government school student who stood third. Interestingly, science group (boys and girls) and humanities group (boys and girls) students who topped the examination studied at private schools. Among science group students (boys), Noman Khadam of the National Model High School Sheikhupura stood first, Muhammad Awais and Hafiz Muhammad Saleem of the Pakistan Model High School for Boys, Kasur, stood second and Hafiz Furqan Malik of the Government High School, Shahdara, stood third. Among girls, Ifra Rafaqat of Divisional Public High School for Girls, Model Town, stood first, Izzah Javed of St Domainics Convent Girls High School, Johar Town, and Anam Tanveer of Kasur Public School for Girls, Kasur, shared the second position and Maryam Shahid and Hafsa Siddiqi who shared the third position were students of Aligarh Public High School for Girls, Gulberg, and Laurel Bank Public School for Girls, Baghbanpura. Among humanities group students (boys), Azeemullah of Dar ul Uloom Islamia Boys, Allama Iqbal Town, stood first, Muhammad Zohaib Shafi of Stars Boys High School, GT Road Shahdara, stood second and Hafiz Shahzad Ali of the Pakistan Model High School for Boys, Kasur, stood third.Ayesha Nadeem Butt, Sharish Ghulam Rasool and Hifza Qasim who secured first, second and third positions in humanities group (girls) studied at Farooqi Girls High School Ravi Road, Lahore.Talking to The News, people said it was unfortunate that the standard of education being imparted by government schools was deteriorating.“Instead of competing against private schools, most of the public schools are performing poorly,” commented Sohaib, a citizen. “One could gauge the performance of public schools by the fact that only one government school student was among those who topped this year,” he said. He regretted that despite huge education budget, teacher training programmes and incentives such as free textbooks, students of government-run schools could not make their mark.Kashif, another citizen, said it seemed that government school teachers were not motivated. He said that there was a time when students of government schools topped matriculation examination.When contacted, School Education Secretary Nadeem Ashraf said that though the government schools could not produce more toppers this time, their overall result was better. He said unlike government schools, the management of private schools pay more attention to students. “They (private schools) usually select some brilliant students and focus on them,” he said. Nadeem Ashraf said Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif had recently approved a performance-based incentive allowance for government schoolteachers adding their promotions had also been linked to performance. He expressed hope that government schools would produce more toppers in coming years.
Source: The News International
Saturday, August 02, 2008
LAHORE: THE 2008 annual Matriculation examination results have exposed the performance of government schools as private schools students have clinched almost all top positions.Noman Khadam, student of a private school, National Model High School Hiran Minar Road, Sheikhupura, secured the over all top position. Muhammad Awais and Hafiz Muhammad Saleem who shared the overall second position respectively also studied at a private school, Pakistan Model High School for Boys Raiwind Road, Kasur. Hafiz Furqan Malik of Government High School Shahdara, however, was the only government school student who stood third. Interestingly, science group (boys and girls) and humanities group (boys and girls) students who topped the examination studied at private schools. Among science group students (boys), Noman Khadam of the National Model High School Sheikhupura stood first, Muhammad Awais and Hafiz Muhammad Saleem of the Pakistan Model High School for Boys, Kasur, stood second and Hafiz Furqan Malik of the Government High School, Shahdara, stood third. Among girls, Ifra Rafaqat of Divisional Public High School for Girls, Model Town, stood first, Izzah Javed of St Domainics Convent Girls High School, Johar Town, and Anam Tanveer of Kasur Public School for Girls, Kasur, shared the second position and Maryam Shahid and Hafsa Siddiqi who shared the third position were students of Aligarh Public High School for Girls, Gulberg, and Laurel Bank Public School for Girls, Baghbanpura. Among humanities group students (boys), Azeemullah of Dar ul Uloom Islamia Boys, Allama Iqbal Town, stood first, Muhammad Zohaib Shafi of Stars Boys High School, GT Road Shahdara, stood second and Hafiz Shahzad Ali of the Pakistan Model High School for Boys, Kasur, stood third.Ayesha Nadeem Butt, Sharish Ghulam Rasool and Hifza Qasim who secured first, second and third positions in humanities group (girls) studied at Farooqi Girls High School Ravi Road, Lahore.Talking to The News, people said it was unfortunate that the standard of education being imparted by government schools was deteriorating.“Instead of competing against private schools, most of the public schools are performing poorly,” commented Sohaib, a citizen. “One could gauge the performance of public schools by the fact that only one government school student was among those who topped this year,” he said. He regretted that despite huge education budget, teacher training programmes and incentives such as free textbooks, students of government-run schools could not make their mark.Kashif, another citizen, said it seemed that government school teachers were not motivated. He said that there was a time when students of government schools topped matriculation examination.When contacted, School Education Secretary Nadeem Ashraf said that though the government schools could not produce more toppers this time, their overall result was better. He said unlike government schools, the management of private schools pay more attention to students. “They (private schools) usually select some brilliant students and focus on them,” he said. Nadeem Ashraf said Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif had recently approved a performance-based incentive allowance for government schoolteachers adding their promotions had also been linked to performance. He expressed hope that government schools would produce more toppers in coming years.
Source: The News International
Saturday, August 02, 2008
Key education officials enjoy lucrative posts on deputation
By Khalid Khattak
LAHORE: The award of extension in deputation period seems to be hallmark of the previous government as it allowed many individuals, especially in the education boards of the province, to continue enjoying postings on lucrative posts for many years through extension in the deputation tenure.Most of the officials had been awarded extension in the deputation period more than once, making others realise as if there were no substitutes available to hold key-offices such as of Chairman, Secretary and Controller of Examinations of the boards. However, it is generally believed that only individuals having connections with the power corridors were appointed against such well-paid posts.Talking to The News, a senior official of the Higher Education Department, Punjab, on the condition of anonymity said postings during the previous regime against such slots was made “purely” on political grounds, adding in most of the cases those who had been granted extension in deputation period were not even recommended by the department. He further said, as per the deputation policy, initially an official was appointed on deputation for a period of three years, adding one year extension was granted through the Finance Department. “The grant of any further extension is prerogative of the Chief Minister”, the official added.He maintained that the policy of extending deputation tenure was blindly followed by the previous government, adding despite the fact it created troubles for those awaiting promotions. The official said the extension-policy was widely condemned by the other aspirant candidates but of no avail. According to the data obtained by The News, the officials who were granted extension in the deputation tenure more than once include Secretary Board of Intermediate & Secondary Education (BISE) Lahore Haji Muhammad Dogar who has been holding the office since July 28, 2003. His deputation tenure had expired after three years. Later, he was awarded one year extension while he also succeeded to “win” another extension of next two years. Similarly, BISE Lahore’s Controller of Examinations Prof Manzur ul Hassan Niazi, who was awarded extension in deputation, has been holding the office since October 28, 2004.Board of Intermediate & Secondary Education Bahawalpur chairperson Mrs Bilqees Akram has been serving since January 19, 2004, while board’s Secretary Waheed Akhtar Nayyar and Controller of Examinations Bashir Ahmed have been enjoying lucrative posts since October 19, 2002 and September 25, 2004 respectively. Chairman of the BISE Dera Ghazi Khan Mehr Bashir Ahmed has been serving on deputation since September 3, 2004.It is important to mention here that the new government has not awarded any extension to the Chairman Board of Intermediate & Secondary Education Sargodha Dr Muhammad Afzal Rabbani whose deputation period expired on June 28, 2008. The department has recently interviewed a number of potential candidates to fill the vacant post. However, no appointment has been made so far. The senior officials of the boards whose tenure would expire in the near future include Secretary Board of Intermediate & Secondary Education Bahawalpur (date of expiry of deputation September 30, 2008), Secretary Board of Intermediate & Secondary Education Dera Ghazi Khan Aezaz Ahmed Khan (December 04, 2008) and Chairman BISE Faisalabad Anwar ul Haq (February 12, 2009). It is further learnt that the government has decided in principle not to extend tenure of those serving on deputation. A couple of months ago, the Punjab government cancelled hundreds of appointments made on the re-employment policy. The policy was also excessively followed by the previous regime through which hundreds of retired officials were re-employed against well-paid posts.
Source: The News International
Wednesday, July 16, 2008.
LAHORE: The award of extension in deputation period seems to be hallmark of the previous government as it allowed many individuals, especially in the education boards of the province, to continue enjoying postings on lucrative posts for many years through extension in the deputation tenure.Most of the officials had been awarded extension in the deputation period more than once, making others realise as if there were no substitutes available to hold key-offices such as of Chairman, Secretary and Controller of Examinations of the boards. However, it is generally believed that only individuals having connections with the power corridors were appointed against such well-paid posts.Talking to The News, a senior official of the Higher Education Department, Punjab, on the condition of anonymity said postings during the previous regime against such slots was made “purely” on political grounds, adding in most of the cases those who had been granted extension in deputation period were not even recommended by the department. He further said, as per the deputation policy, initially an official was appointed on deputation for a period of three years, adding one year extension was granted through the Finance Department. “The grant of any further extension is prerogative of the Chief Minister”, the official added.He maintained that the policy of extending deputation tenure was blindly followed by the previous government, adding despite the fact it created troubles for those awaiting promotions. The official said the extension-policy was widely condemned by the other aspirant candidates but of no avail. According to the data obtained by The News, the officials who were granted extension in the deputation tenure more than once include Secretary Board of Intermediate & Secondary Education (BISE) Lahore Haji Muhammad Dogar who has been holding the office since July 28, 2003. His deputation tenure had expired after three years. Later, he was awarded one year extension while he also succeeded to “win” another extension of next two years. Similarly, BISE Lahore’s Controller of Examinations Prof Manzur ul Hassan Niazi, who was awarded extension in deputation, has been holding the office since October 28, 2004.Board of Intermediate & Secondary Education Bahawalpur chairperson Mrs Bilqees Akram has been serving since January 19, 2004, while board’s Secretary Waheed Akhtar Nayyar and Controller of Examinations Bashir Ahmed have been enjoying lucrative posts since October 19, 2002 and September 25, 2004 respectively. Chairman of the BISE Dera Ghazi Khan Mehr Bashir Ahmed has been serving on deputation since September 3, 2004.It is important to mention here that the new government has not awarded any extension to the Chairman Board of Intermediate & Secondary Education Sargodha Dr Muhammad Afzal Rabbani whose deputation period expired on June 28, 2008. The department has recently interviewed a number of potential candidates to fill the vacant post. However, no appointment has been made so far. The senior officials of the boards whose tenure would expire in the near future include Secretary Board of Intermediate & Secondary Education Bahawalpur (date of expiry of deputation September 30, 2008), Secretary Board of Intermediate & Secondary Education Dera Ghazi Khan Aezaz Ahmed Khan (December 04, 2008) and Chairman BISE Faisalabad Anwar ul Haq (February 12, 2009). It is further learnt that the government has decided in principle not to extend tenure of those serving on deputation. A couple of months ago, the Punjab government cancelled hundreds of appointments made on the re-employment policy. The policy was also excessively followed by the previous regime through which hundreds of retired officials were re-employed against well-paid posts.
Source: The News International
Wednesday, July 16, 2008.
Monday, July 7, 2008
21 government schools in Lahore non-functional
By Khalid Khattak
LAHORE: AS many as 21 government schools in District Lahore have been non-functional for the last many months, exposing lack of interest and commitment on part of officials concerned.Sources in the Punjab School Education Department told The News that reports recently submitted by Monitoring and Evaluation Assistants (MEAs) of the Chief Minister’s Monitoring Force disclosed that there were dozens of non-functional schools in each district of the province. The sources added most of these schools stopped functioning during previous regime because of acute shortage of schoolteachers. They said some single-teacher schools and shelter-less schools have also become non-functional with the passage of time in different parts of the province. They said in some cases, there were schools but interestingly there were no students. A number of schools became non-functional after migration of locals from a particular area in the wake of expanding residential societies, they added.It is learnt that non-availability of buildings and illegal occupations were also the main causes behind non-functional schools.A senior official commenting over the issue said the government schools could never become non-functional unless the officials concerned pay constant attention in connection with the affairs of the school. He further said shortage of teachers could be overcome by rationalising the number of teachers working in schools of neighbouring areas, adding that it was responsibility of EDOs to take timely action against the illegal occupants. “The problems multiply when the concerned shut their eyes and not make efforts to solve the problems,” he added.The sources said that Secretary School Education Department, Nadeem Ashraf, while taking notice of the situation issued strict instructions to the Education EDOs across the province to explain reasons for non-functioning of schools in their respective districts. He had also directed the EDOs to make all-out efforts to make the non-functioning schools functioning ones soon after the annual summer vacation, they added. It is also learnt that the issue regarding non-functional schools would be taken up in meeting of Secretary Schools with Education EDOs on 7 July.An official from the office of Lahore Education EDO, seeking anonymity, said most of the non-functional schools of the District Lahore were in the areas of Aziz Bhatti Town and Wahga Town.He said expanding residential societies were major factors behind the schools going non-functional. “In such cases, locals migrated to other areas owing to which schools are left without any students,” he added. When contacted, Secretary School Education Department, Nadeem Ashraf, confirmed that the matter regarding non-functional schools would be taken up in the meeting scheduled for July 7.He said rationalisation of teaching staff in government schools was underway in order to engage surplus staff in schools, which were facing acute shortage of teachers.
Source: The News International
Saturday, July 05, 2008
LAHORE: AS many as 21 government schools in District Lahore have been non-functional for the last many months, exposing lack of interest and commitment on part of officials concerned.Sources in the Punjab School Education Department told The News that reports recently submitted by Monitoring and Evaluation Assistants (MEAs) of the Chief Minister’s Monitoring Force disclosed that there were dozens of non-functional schools in each district of the province. The sources added most of these schools stopped functioning during previous regime because of acute shortage of schoolteachers. They said some single-teacher schools and shelter-less schools have also become non-functional with the passage of time in different parts of the province. They said in some cases, there were schools but interestingly there were no students. A number of schools became non-functional after migration of locals from a particular area in the wake of expanding residential societies, they added.It is learnt that non-availability of buildings and illegal occupations were also the main causes behind non-functional schools.A senior official commenting over the issue said the government schools could never become non-functional unless the officials concerned pay constant attention in connection with the affairs of the school. He further said shortage of teachers could be overcome by rationalising the number of teachers working in schools of neighbouring areas, adding that it was responsibility of EDOs to take timely action against the illegal occupants. “The problems multiply when the concerned shut their eyes and not make efforts to solve the problems,” he added.The sources said that Secretary School Education Department, Nadeem Ashraf, while taking notice of the situation issued strict instructions to the Education EDOs across the province to explain reasons for non-functioning of schools in their respective districts. He had also directed the EDOs to make all-out efforts to make the non-functioning schools functioning ones soon after the annual summer vacation, they added. It is also learnt that the issue regarding non-functional schools would be taken up in meeting of Secretary Schools with Education EDOs on 7 July.An official from the office of Lahore Education EDO, seeking anonymity, said most of the non-functional schools of the District Lahore were in the areas of Aziz Bhatti Town and Wahga Town.He said expanding residential societies were major factors behind the schools going non-functional. “In such cases, locals migrated to other areas owing to which schools are left without any students,” he added. When contacted, Secretary School Education Department, Nadeem Ashraf, confirmed that the matter regarding non-functional schools would be taken up in the meeting scheduled for July 7.He said rationalisation of teaching staff in government schools was underway in order to engage surplus staff in schools, which were facing acute shortage of teachers.
Source: The News International
Saturday, July 05, 2008
PU asks SUPARCO to vacate varsity land
Says commission failed to meet terms and conditions
By Khalid Khattak
LAHORE: A CONTROVERSY has once again erupted over lease agreement between the Punjab University (PU) and Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) while the former has also sent a legal notice asking the Commission to vacate its (university’s) land.The Punjab University had leased out 12 acres of land for 20 years to SUPARCO for setting up facilities for satellite tracking, space application and research on March 17, 1987. However, a controversy had erupted in 2006, before expiry of the lease, when the PU authorities expressed unwillingness to renew the lease agreement because of SUPARCO’s alleged failure to meet certain terms and conditions. PU officials had alleged that the management of SUPARCO had not met the terms and conditions as it did not properly assist the university in teaching and practical training of its students and supervising research work of students. On the other hand, SUPARCO had maintained that it had not only fulfilled all its obligations under the deed, but had also provided the university with services and material support that had been totally outside the scope of this deed.Nonetheless, akistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission later requested for provision of additional 50 acres land while the PU asked the Commission to hand over the 12 acres of land along with the structure constructed on it to the university as per the lease agreement, which expired on March 17, 2007.The matter regarding request of the additional land was placed before the university Syndicate in a meeting held on September 11, 2006, and was rejected unanimously by members.However, in its meeting held on May 18, 2007, the PU Syndicate approved the renewal of the lease agreement (excluding the additional land) with SUPARCO for ten years with revised terms and conditions.It was also decided by the Syndicate that all contracts would be subject for reconsideration after every two years while PU would also charge akistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission per-acre agriculture rate with ten percent annual increase. According to PU officials, as per the 1987 agreement, the Commission was paying Rs 10,000 as annual rent to the university against the total leased land.The officials added that according to the revised agreement of 2007, SUPARCO had to pay Rs 17,600 per acre per annum with 10 per increase each year.They said it was decided that SUPARCO would help improve laboratories of the varsity and provide training and apprenticeships to it students of space science and physics etc, too.However, sources in the PU administration said that akistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission authorities were reluctant to sign the agreement with revised terms and conditions, adding they were insisting to sign the agreement as continuation of 1987 agreement. “This is quite evident from the fact that the agreement was yet to be signed despite approval in this regard was granted by Syndicate in May 2007”, they added.They further said that soon after the legal notice was served by the PU administration, the akistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission contacted the chancellor to intervene and to ask the university to ensure continuation of the 1987 agreement for further 10 years. It is further learnt reliably that the Chancellor Office subsequently asked the PU to review its 2007 agreement with SUPARCO and consider if 1987 agreement could be continued for further ten years.In this regard, PU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Mujahid Kamran was not available for comments. However, when contacted, Resident Officer-II (RO-II) Malik Muhammad Zaheer, whose office is dealing with the lease agreement, stated that the legal notice was served, as the university did not want to renew and extend the agreement. He added that it was the right of the university to get back its land.“SUPARCO has started construction work on PU land despite the fact that the 2007 agreement, was not signed as yet,” he said.He added that, “It should handover the 12 acres of land along with the structure on it to the university as per the lease agreement of 1987.” Replying to a question, he said the Chancellor Office had asked the PU to review the situation; however, the matter would be placed before the PU Syndicate for final decision in this regard.
Source: The News International
Monday, June 30, 2008
By Khalid Khattak
LAHORE: A CONTROVERSY has once again erupted over lease agreement between the Punjab University (PU) and Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) while the former has also sent a legal notice asking the Commission to vacate its (university’s) land.The Punjab University had leased out 12 acres of land for 20 years to SUPARCO for setting up facilities for satellite tracking, space application and research on March 17, 1987. However, a controversy had erupted in 2006, before expiry of the lease, when the PU authorities expressed unwillingness to renew the lease agreement because of SUPARCO’s alleged failure to meet certain terms and conditions. PU officials had alleged that the management of SUPARCO had not met the terms and conditions as it did not properly assist the university in teaching and practical training of its students and supervising research work of students. On the other hand, SUPARCO had maintained that it had not only fulfilled all its obligations under the deed, but had also provided the university with services and material support that had been totally outside the scope of this deed.Nonetheless, akistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission later requested for provision of additional 50 acres land while the PU asked the Commission to hand over the 12 acres of land along with the structure constructed on it to the university as per the lease agreement, which expired on March 17, 2007.The matter regarding request of the additional land was placed before the university Syndicate in a meeting held on September 11, 2006, and was rejected unanimously by members.However, in its meeting held on May 18, 2007, the PU Syndicate approved the renewal of the lease agreement (excluding the additional land) with SUPARCO for ten years with revised terms and conditions.It was also decided by the Syndicate that all contracts would be subject for reconsideration after every two years while PU would also charge akistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission per-acre agriculture rate with ten percent annual increase. According to PU officials, as per the 1987 agreement, the Commission was paying Rs 10,000 as annual rent to the university against the total leased land.The officials added that according to the revised agreement of 2007, SUPARCO had to pay Rs 17,600 per acre per annum with 10 per increase each year.They said it was decided that SUPARCO would help improve laboratories of the varsity and provide training and apprenticeships to it students of space science and physics etc, too.However, sources in the PU administration said that akistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission authorities were reluctant to sign the agreement with revised terms and conditions, adding they were insisting to sign the agreement as continuation of 1987 agreement. “This is quite evident from the fact that the agreement was yet to be signed despite approval in this regard was granted by Syndicate in May 2007”, they added.They further said that soon after the legal notice was served by the PU administration, the akistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission contacted the chancellor to intervene and to ask the university to ensure continuation of the 1987 agreement for further 10 years. It is further learnt reliably that the Chancellor Office subsequently asked the PU to review its 2007 agreement with SUPARCO and consider if 1987 agreement could be continued for further ten years.In this regard, PU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Mujahid Kamran was not available for comments. However, when contacted, Resident Officer-II (RO-II) Malik Muhammad Zaheer, whose office is dealing with the lease agreement, stated that the legal notice was served, as the university did not want to renew and extend the agreement. He added that it was the right of the university to get back its land.“SUPARCO has started construction work on PU land despite the fact that the 2007 agreement, was not signed as yet,” he said.He added that, “It should handover the 12 acres of land along with the structure on it to the university as per the lease agreement of 1987.” Replying to a question, he said the Chancellor Office had asked the PU to review the situation; however, the matter would be placed before the PU Syndicate for final decision in this regard.
Source: The News International
Monday, June 30, 2008
Unrest prevails at PU hostels
By Khalid Khattak
The presence of expelled and rusticated activists of Islami Jamiat Talaba (IJT) at the Punjab University (PU) hostels has been a matter of great concern for the university students and teachers. Most of the activists were expelled or rusticated for beating students up, while others for organizing illegal activities on the campus and inside the hostels without permission from the PU administration. However, such elements continue to enjoy boarding facilities, in connivance with the hostel superintendents and wardens, creating troubles, especially for the boarding students belonging to other student organisations. The activists are not only a permanent nuisance for the boarding students, but also for the university administration which receives frequent complaints regarding their illegal activities. Last week, some JIT activists including Suleman, Allah Rakha and Muhammad Ramzan thrashed a student Ghulam Hussain who is an activist of a newly formed student organisation, the University Students Federation (USF), at Hostel No 2. The matter was brought to the notice of the administration but no action has been taken so far. The USF has been criticizing the administration for not taking any action against the Jamiat activists illegally residing at the varsity hostels.Ahsan Chaudhry, a USF activist, told The News that IJT activist Sabir Shah, who is an illegal boarder at the varsity’s Hostel No 15, threatened to hurt him. He said a number of other Jamiat activists, like Sabir, expelled or rusticated by the administration were illegally residing at the hostels, “It is strange that the administration is not taking any action”, he added.It is important to mention here that a number of rallies were taken out by students against the Jamiat for its involvement in Imran Khan’s arrest from the PU New Campus in November last year. Later, a number of students complained about threatening calls and messages they received from the IJT activists for taking part in the anti-Jamiat rallies. A number of developments took place afterwards in which the PU administration, under the leadership of the varsity’s vice-chancellor, closed down almost all the IJT offices from the university’s campus. However, no action was taken against the Jamiat at the hostels where it has had its offices for the last many. Talking to The News, a PU official, seeking anonymity, said many FIRs had been registered against some of the expelled Jamiat activists, but police failed to arrest them. He said the non-cooperation of police was causing a lot of problems for the administration, adding, “Even some teachers are receiving threatening calls from the Jamiat activists”. It is noteworthy that the non-cooperation of the police was also highlighted in a high level meeting chaired by the then Chancellor Lt Gen (r) Khalid Maqbool a couple of months ago. Another senior official said a grand operation would be launched soon against the Jamiat activists bordering illegally at the hostels. He said the only hurdle in carrying out the action was the on going examinations. “We do not want any disturbance at the campus when the exams are underway”, he said, adding “the Jamiat offices at the PU hostels would also be closed down.”
Source: The News International
Monday 7 July 2008
The presence of expelled and rusticated activists of Islami Jamiat Talaba (IJT) at the Punjab University (PU) hostels has been a matter of great concern for the university students and teachers. Most of the activists were expelled or rusticated for beating students up, while others for organizing illegal activities on the campus and inside the hostels without permission from the PU administration. However, such elements continue to enjoy boarding facilities, in connivance with the hostel superintendents and wardens, creating troubles, especially for the boarding students belonging to other student organisations. The activists are not only a permanent nuisance for the boarding students, but also for the university administration which receives frequent complaints regarding their illegal activities. Last week, some JIT activists including Suleman, Allah Rakha and Muhammad Ramzan thrashed a student Ghulam Hussain who is an activist of a newly formed student organisation, the University Students Federation (USF), at Hostel No 2. The matter was brought to the notice of the administration but no action has been taken so far. The USF has been criticizing the administration for not taking any action against the Jamiat activists illegally residing at the varsity hostels.Ahsan Chaudhry, a USF activist, told The News that IJT activist Sabir Shah, who is an illegal boarder at the varsity’s Hostel No 15, threatened to hurt him. He said a number of other Jamiat activists, like Sabir, expelled or rusticated by the administration were illegally residing at the hostels, “It is strange that the administration is not taking any action”, he added.It is important to mention here that a number of rallies were taken out by students against the Jamiat for its involvement in Imran Khan’s arrest from the PU New Campus in November last year. Later, a number of students complained about threatening calls and messages they received from the IJT activists for taking part in the anti-Jamiat rallies. A number of developments took place afterwards in which the PU administration, under the leadership of the varsity’s vice-chancellor, closed down almost all the IJT offices from the university’s campus. However, no action was taken against the Jamiat at the hostels where it has had its offices for the last many. Talking to The News, a PU official, seeking anonymity, said many FIRs had been registered against some of the expelled Jamiat activists, but police failed to arrest them. He said the non-cooperation of police was causing a lot of problems for the administration, adding, “Even some teachers are receiving threatening calls from the Jamiat activists”. It is noteworthy that the non-cooperation of the police was also highlighted in a high level meeting chaired by the then Chancellor Lt Gen (r) Khalid Maqbool a couple of months ago. Another senior official said a grand operation would be launched soon against the Jamiat activists bordering illegally at the hostels. He said the only hurdle in carrying out the action was the on going examinations. “We do not want any disturbance at the campus when the exams are underway”, he said, adding “the Jamiat offices at the PU hostels would also be closed down.”
Source: The News International
Monday 7 July 2008
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