Lahore private schools violating directions

Private schools open in evenings despite government's directions
Lahore, Aug 10: Contrary to the government's directions, some private schools in the city are deceiving the government by remaining open in the evenings after their first-term examinations.

Sources from the Education Department said on Sunday that some private school administrations in the city were acting against the government's directions by opening their schools despite the fact that this was not allowed before August 15, when the summer vacations end.

The sources said the schools were working to avoid financial losses, since they had to meet expenditures during the vacations, such as teachers' salaries and utility bills.

Earlier, the concerned authorities imposed fines on schools for violating the government's directions, due to which some schools held exams for their students in the evenings to collect fees in order to lessen their financial burden, they said.

Sources said such schools could be found on Ferozepur Road, but were ignored by the concerned authorities.

Parents: A few parents complained that they faced transportation problems due to the change in timings. They said it was difficult for the children to remain in classrooms during electricity load shedding. The parents said the school administrations were not sympathetic and only focused on profits.

The parents demanded the concerned authorities take stern action against the schools which were adding to their problems due to their illegal actions.

Action: Education Executive District Officer (EDO) Dr Arshad said the Education Department had taken action against schools that violated the government's directions and action would be taken against any school held responsible, since no one was above the law.

The EDO said he would direct the concerned authorities to ensure the government's directions were followed.

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Pioneer of progressive student unionism remembered
Lahore: Famous student leaders of their time paid tribute to the pioneer of progressive student unionism in the country, late Dr Mohammed Sarwar at the Dorab Patel Auditorium of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) on Saturday.

Known progressive leaders and professionals like Minhaj Barna, Hameed Akhtar, IA Rehman, Hussain Naqi, Abid Manto, Dr Mubashar Hassan, Prof Afzal Tauseef, Moneeza Hashmi, Saleema Hashmi, Saeeda Diep, Zaman Khan, Dr Farrukh Gulzar and many others shared their experiences and friendship with the former student leader. Sarwar's wife Zakia and his daughter Beena were also present.

The speakers said Sarwar pioneered the Democratic Students Federation (DSF) in the early 1950s in order to give the students a platform to make themselves heard. The DSF played a vital role in developing a progressive ideology in the country, and later became the base of a number of other student organisations like the National Students Federation. Barna said the DSF, labour unions and the society of progressive writers were three forces that rendered remarkable sacrifices to rid the society of imperialism and it was the duty of the next generation to honour their sacrifices and envision their dreams.

Mere guardians: Akhtar said people like Sarwar gave their lives to bring a change in society but the next generation acted as if was a mere guardian of those ideals (majawar). He said the struggle and ideology should be carried forward.

Building futures: Rehman said when Pakistan came into existence, the people of that time thought about freedom and prosperity. "The farmers thought that there would be an abundance of water for their fields and countless resources. But a boy from Allahabad travelled all the way to Karachi and became busy in thinking about building the future of the country. His name was Dr Sarwar and he dedicated his whole life to the purpose," he said.

Naqi and Manto said Sarwar successfully led his students union against all odds and continued to do so despite facing torture, persecution and crackdown by governments. Daily Times

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Yassra Iftikhar Distinction
Yassra Iftikhar, daughter of Ch Iftikhar Ahmad, has secured second position in BSc (Hons) Dental Technology (Revised Scheme), First Professional, Annual Examination, 2009. She got 215 marks out of 300. The news

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Govt to encourage media students seeking foreign education: Taseer
Lahore: The government will encourage journalists and media students seeking education in media and broadcasting institutes in China and Pakistan, Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer said on Saturday.

He was talking to a four-member Chinese delegation led by Wang Gangvi. Taseer said the two countries should recognise degree programmes of each other's universities, and urged student and faculty exchange programmes between universities of both countries.

Terming Pak-China friendship exemplary, Taseer said both countries had always supported each other's stance at every international forum, adding that this tradition of trust would carry on in the future as well.

The governor lauded the services of Chinese engineers in the Gwadar Port project, the remodelling of the Karakoram Highway, Chashma Power's Extension programme and the Neelum-Jehlum Power project.

He said the government was committed to ensure the security of Chinese professionals working in the country.

Taseer said the Pakistani media was working as an independent and active organ of the society, adding that the Pakistan People's Party had always advocated the freedom of speech.

The governor said the country was at war and the whole nation stood united against terrorism.

He said the unanimous stand of all political parties against terrorism was the result of President Asif Ali Zardari's political vision.

Tasser informed the delegation about the great potential of investment in the country in the engineering, electronics, telecom, oil and gas, construction, power generation, and food processing sectors and said both countries should also increase cooperation in trade, industrial, education, and defence sectors. Daily Times

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