Punjab schools summer vacations extended

Summer vacations extended in Punjab schools
Lahore, Aug 15: The Punjab government has extended the summer vacations limit till August 30, and the educational institutions across the province now will reopen on Aug 31.

The announcement was made by Provincial Minister for Local Government and Community Development Sardar Dost Muhammad Khosa at a Press conference here Friday. Secretary Higher Education and Secretary Schools were also present on this occasion.

It may be mentioned that as per the announcement made by the Punjab government the educational institutions were scheduled to reopen on August 15 (today), but the government had extended the limit, keeping in view the scorching summer heat and the ongoing electricity crisis in the province.

The Minister further said that the government had also requested private schools to follow the decision and open their institutes on August 31, 2009.

When asked that why the Education Minister was not there to announce the same extension, Khosa replied that as the Chief Minister Punjab had directed all the ministers to attend flag-hoisting ceremonies at various districts on the eve of the Independence Day of Pakistan, therefore Education Minister Mian Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman could not make this announcement.

To another question regarding local government system, Khosa said that certain politicians wanted to politicise the issue as they had negative approach towards this issue.

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Exam toppers hoist flag across Punjab
Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said hoisting of national flag on Independence Day by position-holders in the province is an acknowledgement of the hard work and commitment to studies.

On his directions, like provincial metropolis where Ali Murtaza and Hafiz Muhammad hoisted the flag, position holder students of matriculation examination performed flag hoisting during Independence Day celebrations in all other districts of the province.

In Sargodha, student Wajiha Noor Syed of Presentation Convent School obtaining first position with 1024 marks in matriculation examination in Sargodha Board hoisted flag whereas Shoaib Raza of Garrison High School Taunsa obtaining first position with 1005 marks participated as chief guest in the Independence Day celebrations at Dera Ghazi Khan and hoisted flag. Muhammad Mudassar Abdullah of Assofa Model High School hoisted flag at Mianwali. He has got first position in the district obtaining 995 marks in matriculation examination. In Layyah, Muhammad Ali Ramazan Gormani of Government High School Chak No.120 TDA obtaining first position in the district with 996 marks in matriculation examination hoisted flag whereas in District Bahawalnagar, Muneeba Nasir of Sir Syed Girls High School Chishtian with 1005 marks, Baraira Ahmed of Fauji Foundation School Bahawalnagar obtaining 993 marks and Tabinda Noor of Divisional Public School Bahawalnagar obtaining 992 marks who have got first second and third positions in Bahawalpur Board respectively hoisted flag in the district.

In district Chakwal, Muhammad Daniyal Noman of Cadet College Kalarkahar obtaining first position in matriculation examination in the district with 985 marks hoisted flag. Anika Gulzar of Brain School of Sciences hoisted flag in District Sialkot.

She had obtained first position in district Sialkot with 1011 marks. Hafiz Muhammad Arsalan of Educator School Narowal obtaining first position with 994 marks in matriculation examination in district Narowal hoisted flag. Abdul Aziz of Superior Science Academy Muzaffargarh hoisted flag in district Muzaffargarh. He has got first position in matriculation examination in the district with 1007 marks. Muhammad Asghar of Government High School Talkaut, Muzaffargarh who have obtained 890 marks in matriculation examination was also present on the flag hoisting ceremony.

Muneeza Bakht of Fauji Foundation Model Study School for Girls, Fateh Jang, obtaining first position in the district with 994 marks in matriculation examination was the chief guest during flag hoisting ceremony at district Attock.

Zohaib Ahmed of Government Boys High School Haveli Lakha Tehsil Depalpur, who had obtained first position in the district in matriculation examination with 1005 marks, was chief guest during flag hoisting ceremony at District Okara. In district Rajanpur, Yasmeen Khan of Almumtaz Girls Model School Jampur hoisted flag at District Rajanpur. She has obtained first position in matriculation examination with 1005 marks in Dera Ghazi Khan Educational Board. In District Khanewal, Ayesha Ikram of Jhang Scholar School Jahanian hoisted flag. She has obtained first position in matriculation examination with 1014 marks in Education Board Multan.

A disabled student Zahid Ali of Khanewal who obtained prominent position in matriculation examination also attended the ceremony. Muhammad Jahangir Mughal of Sir Syed Scholars Inn who has obtained first position in the district in matriculation examination with 988 marks hoisted flag at District Hafizabad.

Abdul Basit of Government Model High School Bhakkar was the chief guest in flag hoisting ceremony at District Bhakkar. He has got first position in matriculation examination in Sargodha Board obtaining 1017 marks.

Shahbaz Sharif said it was their right, which had been denied in the past. He said that he was pleased to see the self-confidence in them and it was hoped that they would perform outstandingly in every sector for ensuring a bright future for the country.

After performing flag hoisting ceremony along with top position holders of Lahore Board Ali Murtaza and Hafiz Muhammad, the CM said poor educational system was the basic reason of ignorance. "Therefore, provision of quality education is our top priority. Now no student will leave his education incomplete due to non-availability of resources," he added. The nation

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Nursing college building not given to admin
Multan: The building of the Nishtar Medical Institution's College of Nursing has not been handed over to its management by the provincial buildings department even a year and a half after its completion, delaying classes of BSc Nursing.

It is learnt that the buildings department has failed to pay the dues of Rs5.6 million to the contractor who has in turn refused to hand over the building.

Maintaining and Repairing Assistant Medical Superintendent (Nishter) Dr Fahim Ahmed Javed said the project was carried out under the ADP (annual development programme) and the building had not been handed over to the department due to non-payment to the contractor.

He said the Nishtar administration had sent various reminders to the authorities, including the health secretary, but to no avail. He claimed that furniture for the college had been purchased and staff appointed.

District Officer (Buildings) Rana Basharat Ali said funds for the scheme had been released and the building would be handed over to the Nishtar administration within three months as the construction work is in final stages.

The project was launched by the Pervaiz Elahi-led government in 2004 and its goals are yet to be achieved even after five years. It was part of the Medium-Term Development Framework "for improving the nursing health care".

Officials at the Nishtar Medical Institution said the BSc Nursing classes were launched at the Nursing College in Lahore, but they could not be started in Multan.

Nishtar Hospital Multan Medical Superintendent Dr Zaffar Niazi said the college would be made functional immediately after handover of the building to the administration.

Meanwhile, Nursing College Multan vice-principal Shahnaz Qayyum said the process for the college affiliation with the University of Health Sciences had been started, but it would get the boost up after the removal of hurdles in building possession.

She said funds for the purchase of equipment also had been released and the process would start very soon.

Nishtar Medical College Principal Dr Laiq Siddiqui said the contractor's bill swelled owing to changes in the structure by the buildings department, but the funds could not be released and the contractor approached the ombudsman with the claim that he had spent Rs6.2 million on the building from his own pocket.

He said the ombudsman, besides issuing directions to the government to release funds for the project, also asked the buildings department officials to estimate the amount spent by the contractor. The department has estimated it at Rs5.6 million.

He said the posts of principal and vice-principal had been filled after adopting the required procedure while no one has so far responded to the advertisements for posts of two instructors. He said they were going to re-advertise the posts (of instructors) within days.

He said the classes of BSc could not start because "we have no vacant space for the purpose". Dawn

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