NWFP schools monitering mechanism
Proposal for improving monitoring of schools
Peshawar, March 06: A proposal for improving monitoring of over Rs30 billion, the
Frontier government annually spends on education sector, is yet to take off
because of the Finance Department's inability to ensure availability of
resources for the initiative. The NWFP Elementary and Education
Department last year had floated a proposal for putting in place a mechanism to
monitor quality of education being imparted in the public sector, however, it is
stuck with the Finance Department, which has regretted to allocate fund for it,
an official said. The provincial government annually spends around
Rs30 billion on running of over 27,000 schools, which impart education from
primary to higher secondary. However, there was no proper mechanism to monitor
utilisation of funds and output being made through such spending.
Official explained that the education department's proposal envisaged
creation of 700 posts of assistant district officer (education) in addition to
the current 300 posts besides providing them transport facilities so that they
could conduct inspection in schools on regular basis. As per the estimates
worked out last year, the provincial government required to make one time
allocation of Rs200 million for bearing the cost of vehicles and other essential
equipment, to be used in the monitoring process. After that the
government would need annually Rs50 million as operational cost of the system,
which would be monitoring overall spending in the education sector that comes to
almost 40 per cent of the NWFP budget, the official said. For the last
one year, the proposal is laying with the Finance Department, which is finding
it difficult to arrange one time allocation of Rs200 million. Total sanctioned
strength of the provincial government is around 300,000 out of which almost 58
per cent posts are in education sector, which doesn't have any systematic
mechanism to monitor their performance, the official added. At present,
the education department has a circle system to monitor 27,000 schools by
appointing one grade-16 official as ADO (education) giving him the task to
conduct inspections of 100 schools locating in one circle. These circle
in-charges, who reports to their respective district education officers
(education), are neither given transport facility nor any allowance to cover
their cost of travelling, the official added, "this virtually confines them to
the offices." The official said that in Punjab, the government had been
following similar mechanism to monitor performance of public sector schools, as
ADOs had been recruited for the purpose of monitoring. They had been provided
with motorbikes and were required to conduct inspections on daily basis. "You
see disciplinary actions are taken there on daily basis against teachers for
poor results and being absent from duty and this is because of the system,"
explained an official. In the NWFP, the military-run government in 2000
had introduced a system of punishment and reward for teachers, as a result each
school used to be monitored and accordingly it would reflect on their annual
confidential reports. This somehow had improved performance of many
public sector schools. However, after the elected government came in, this
system was not carried forward, leaving over 3.7 million students at the mercy
of their teachers, the official said. Dawn
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AIOU extends Matric, FA, BA admission date
Islamabad: Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) has extended the last date
for submission of admission forms upto March 20. AIOU Director
Admissions Sohail Nazir Rana said that all the continuing and fresh students who
have not yet applied for admission but are desirous of getting admission are
informed to get the admission form from the main campus of the University. The
students can also get admission forms at regional offices located in 36 regional
campuses around the country and submit up to March 20 along with prescribed fee.
For continuing students, the university had already dispatched continuing
computerized admission forms to their given addresses. If anyone has not yet
received the continuing admission form, he/she is advised to download it from
the AIOU's website www.aiou.edu.pk. Fresh Matric/FA/BA admission form can
be taken from the main campus of the university or its regional offices and
deposit the prescribed fee alongwith the admission form in the authorized
branches of National Bank of Pakistan and all branches of First Women Bank
Limited, Allied Bank Limited, Bank Alfalah Limited and Habib Bank Limited
throughout the country by March 20. Admission fee in shape of bank draft is not
acceptable while admission forms from Matric to Ph.D will not be acceptable
after due date in any case. The news
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Heads of schools, colleges barred from meeting politicians
Islamabad: Federal Directorate of Education has barred the
heads of schools and colleges from proceeding to political personalities to get
resolved the various issues pertaining to their educational institutions. It
has been learnt that the representatives of a principals' body had gone to meet
Advisor to PM on Education Sardar Aseff Ahmed Ali to apprise him about their
issues but he declined to meet him and instead letters were delivered to the
heads of all the schools and colleges for observing new instructions. The
letter says, "It has been observed with grave concern that a number of teaching
and non-teaching staff serving in Federal Government Educational Institutions
(FGEIs)/Islamabad Model Colleges (IMCs) are using political influence by
approaching higher authorities directly in contradiction to set official
procedure. According to Government Servants (Conduct) Rules, 1964, no
government servant shall, directly or indirectly, approach any member of the
National Assembly or a Provincial Assembly or any other non-official person to
intervene on his behalf in any matter". The letter has also warned with
severe action for contravening the rules saying, "The competent authority has
taken a serious notice of such practice and has directed that henceforth all
officers/officers (indulging in such practice) be dealt with strictly and action
be taken against them under rules". The representatives of the schools and
colleges informed that they had tried earlier twice to meet the Adviser but in
vain and they have been issued letters for not following proper procedure and
bypassing the Director General of FDE. Its pertinent to mention here that
the principals of schools and colleges are perturbed over the frequent changes
of DGs at FDE. They have been demanding the appointment of permanent DG,
removal of four 18-grade directors from FDE, introduction of new service
structure, provision of funds for hiring accommodation and provision of
facilities and grades to the FG teachers on the pattern of Model Colleges'
staff. The employees of schools and colleges have also announced a protest
movement and boycott of annual exams if their demands are not met within 15
days. The Chairperson of Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary
Education (FBISE) and Acting Director General of FDE when contacted said, "The
ministry has issued this letter and rules and regulations should be followed by
all the officials. Even I cannot meet the minister without the consent of
secretary." The nation
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RBISE SSC exams
Rawalpindi: All preparations have been finalised for Rawalpindi
Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (RBISE) Secondary School
Certificate (SSC) annual examination commencing from March 13. According to
details, 353 examination centres have been set up for overall 1,25,000
candidates. Daily times
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HEC courses draft
Islamabad: The National Curriculum Revision Committee (NCRC) in a meeting
held on Friday, completed the draft of the courses for B.Sc (Hons), MSc (Hons)
and Ph.D in Water Management. The committee meeting held at HEC regional
centre, Karachi and highlighted that the students, after completion of Water
Management degree, will be able to implement and operate appropriate and
sustainable solutions to irrigation and agricultural water management, said a
news release issued here. They will better assess water needs and plan
for sustainable and efficient use of water resources, design and manage
appropriate and effective pump, conveyance and application systems and integrate
academic studies with the professional practice. Dr. Altaf Ali G. Shaikh,
member (Academics) HEC, as chief guest briefed the members about obligation of
the commission for revision and development of curricula at undergraduate and
postgraduate levels. He said that HEC is striving to make the curriculum
compatible with international standards, job-orientated and matching the needs
of the society. He appreciated the comments received from international
reviewers, Dr. Masoud Edraki, senior lecturer, Surface Hydrology and Dr.
Muhammad Nadeem Asghar, senior lecturer, Environmental Hydrology Charles Sturt
University, Australia on the draft curriculum in Water Management.
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Prize distribution ceremony
Islamabad: Outstanding students of Beaconhouse School System were awarded
at the annual prize distribution ceremony held here on Friday. Renowned
journalist Hamid Mir was the chief guest. IGP Islamabad Syed Kaleem Imam was
also present in the ceremony. Beaconhouse Margallah Campus Boys Branch won the
prizes, which is the largest campus in the system with nearly 1250 students on
roll. Twenty-three students achieved Straight As in 2009 and 66% of students
achieved 3As and above. A slide show of the students was shown to the
jam-packed crowd in auditorium consisting of parents, students and guests. The
students were clicked in various moods having fun and studying. The gold medals
were awarded to the students achieving eight and more than 8As. Silver medals
were given to the students achieving 7As and bronze medals were awarded to the
students achieving 5As. Urdu and English dramas were also presented.
English drama '5 ways to kill a man' were scripted and directed by Hamida Mirza
and Tazmeen Fatima. The Urdu play 'Umeed-e-Sahar' was much appreciated by the
audience, as it was a true reflection of the current situation in the country.
Due to the students' intense acting and its emotional content, some parents were
also seen wiping their tears during the drama. The drama has shown various
aspects of problems prevailing in our society i.e. extremism. The
students used the help audio visual screen in their drama for background and the
combination of real characters with the changing backdrop of computer fascinated
the audience and was indeed a unique venture. Urdu drama was scripted and
directed by Surrayya Malik. The choir also presented few songs and the students
of VI, VII, VIII, IX and X were awarded with honour certificates. Hamid Mir
appreciated the slideshow and the Urdu Drama. He congratulated the winners and
thanked Principal Margalla Campus Admiral (r) Nashat Raffi for inviting him.
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Froebel's sports day
Rawalpindi: Excited students, pleased parents and happy teachers filled
the stands to cheer young participants as students of Primary Years at the
Rawalpindi campus branch of Froebel's International School celebrated their
annual Sports Day here on Friday. Acclaimed cricketer of his time, Majid
Khan, was the chief guest at the event. The activities started with a parade by
students clad in colourful costumes. Each class had its own colour codes and the
respective teachers were wearing dresses of the same colour to give the event a
coordinated look. This was followed by recitation of a 'surah' from the Quran
and administration of oath. A grand Olympic torch was then lit up and remained
aflame till the end. Brightly coloured balloons were released in the cool
March breeze along with a huge flock of pigeons. The audience was extremely
energised and the participants were ready to set the ground on fire with
splendid stunts, awesome kicks, wonderful races, and tremendous Taekwondo moves
which displayed flexible and first-class routines by the kids. Among the highly
welcomed routines were the Stick Break and Marble Slab Break. This was followed
by aerobics by students of grades 1, 2 and 3. The students performed
magnificently to the beat of the popular song, 'Stand up for the
Champions'. Then began the races. First came the first graders who were
excited to be part of such a colourful day. Parents particularly enjoyed the Hat
and Headband race. The second graders participated in the Pick up Ball Race, Pop
the Balloon Race and Daddy's Coat Race. Then it was time for the third graders
to display their skills to the excited audience. They sped up to win positions
in the Three Legged Race. All guests including the chief guest praised
the energetic aerobic display on Michael Jackson most popular song 'They don't
care about us.' The display was followed by an amazing Slalom Race by students
of grades IV and V. Majid Khan honoured the prize distribution and
applauded the children and the school for putting together a brilliant event
filled with colours and energy. The news
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