Punjab class-V, VIII compulsory examinations

Punjab make class-V, VIII exams compulsory
Lahore, Nov 14: Punjab government has decided to make the exams organised by the Punjab Examination Council (PEC) compulsory for all the students of grade-V and VIII that includes all government, Punjab Education Foundation (PEF) and registered private schools. However, the institutions offering 0 and A-level courses affiliated with foreign examination bodies are exempted for the current year.

The private school owners have denounced the move, saying that they would prefer to affiliate their schools with other institutions. According to the decision, the government schools from April 1 next year shall admit only those students in 6th and 9th classes who have passed the grade-V and VIII exams arranged by the PEC.

In this regard, the Secretary Schools has issued a notification to all executive district officers (EDOs), which states that the decision has been made with a view to upgrade the existing system of grade-V and VIII exams and to promote uniform education across the province.

The EDOs will be exclusively responsible for smooth conduct of the examinations and fair marking of answer sheets free from all kinds of malpractices. They will also look after arrangement of halls, furniture, drinking water and functional toilet facilities at the centres.

It is further revealed that examination centres would mostly be established at the high and higher secondary schools but in case of their non-availability, the elementary and primary schools can also be considered for this purpose. Moreover, the standard strength of a centre would range between 200 to 300 candidates. In urban area, the no centre shall be established for less than 200 students while in exceptional cases centres are allowed for 100 females in the rural areas, the notification states, adding that these centres would be given permanent status that could not be changed without prior approval by the PEC. The nation

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Security threats make coming to school optional for students
Lahore: After the recovery of a live grenade from a government college in Gulberg and in light of the threat of terrorism in the city, several educational institutions have given their students the option to visit campuses everyday or study at home.

School administrations have started providing online and manual-based lesson plans, so the student who did not attend schools could study at home. Experts believe the move was "wise and unique and would save the lives and future of the students". They believed that home schooling might be the future of education in the country.

They said the concept of online and 'distance learning' would open a new dimension in the struggle of parents, schoolchildren and educators against terrorism.

School administrations have not only established and upgraded their websites, they have also established departments to prepare and print hard copies of lesson plans that the students needed to study. Parents and school administration believed the alternate study plan was going to ease their troubles "because it was very difficult for a large number of parents to send their children to schools under such threats".

Mian Iqbal, a parent informed that his daughter studied in a school in the Lahore cantonment area. He said he had not let her go to school after the blast in a university in Islamabad, adding that he had been planning to arrange for home tutors for his daughter as he did not want to risk sending her to school.

"I was relieved after the school administration sent us a letter that they had arranged online lessons and study plans for those who were reluctant to attend school. We cannot give up on education as it is essential for the future of our children," he said.

A similar letter issued by one of the branches of a prominent school said, "In view of the security conditions prevailing in the country, we have planned to share our daily lesson plans with students on a weekly basis. In case, the school gets closed or your child is not coming for security reasons, you will be able to make them study and cover the curriculum at home."

"Furthermore, we have launched our website. Those who are not sending their children to school should check the lesson plans from there and make them do their work at home," the letter said, adding that students or parents could collect the hard copies of the lesson plan from the school on Saturdays between 10am to 3pm. The paper also urged students to get their monthly agenda from the same office. Dawn

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Plea seeking schools closure dismissed
Lahore: The Lahore High Court on Friday dismissed the petition seeking the closure of all the educational institutions till December 31 for security reasons.

Justice Mian Saqib Nisar of the LHC held that the closure of educational institutions was a government matter and it was beyond the jurisdiction of the court to direct any action in this regard as it would be deemed as interference in the government affairs.

Ijaz Ahmad Awan advocate, in his petition, submitted that the army was fighting against terrorists who were particularly targeting girlsí schools in Swat and northern areas as they wanted destroy the countryís educational and economic system.

He stated the terrorists were also targeting universities, adding that many educational institutions had failed to provide foolproof security while it was impossible for the state to provide security to every person or institution. He said that due to the security threats, attendance in educational institutions had dropped considerably and even the teachers were unable to pay full attention to their job.

The petitioner said English medium educational institutions were also on the hit list of terrorists.

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Insider blows whistle on nepotism
Lahore: A Female Deputy District Officer (Education) of Lahore on Friday alleged that higher authorities were being exerting pressure for recruitment of class-IV employees.

Deputy DO (Education) of Allama Iqbal Town Mrs Naseem Akhtar informed the media that she had rejected to accept a list of 14 individuals provided by the higher authorities for recruitment on the said posts.

She said 550 candidates had applied against 30 posts of naib qasids, watchmen, sweepers and security guards etc, adding some of the applicants were highly qualified.

She further said after interview on November 4, 2009, a final list was prepared. "However, on November 7 a list was received from the higher authorities of candidates who had not even applied", she alleged, adding she was asked to accommodate all of them which she rejected.

"The last date to apply was October 26 and none of them have applied", she said. To a question, she said, "I was the appointing authority and it was certainly illegal to appoint those who have not even applied". She further said the appointment process in other towns was completed unlike Allama Iqbal Town.

Answering another question, she alleged "The list was provided by the EDO Office" adding, "I have told the EDO that it is illegal". When contacted, EDO (Education) Dr Muhammad Arshad said no direction or list was provided to Deputy DO Allama Iqbal Town by his office.

He further said, "All such appointments are made through recruitment committee" adding, "I don't know why and in which context the lady had cried foul". "She is not the appointing authority either", he added. "The appointment process has yet to start in fact", Dr Arshad added. The news

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Private schools security steps
Lahore: Police officers have been told not to enter private schools in uniform as it may unnerve students, Punjab Chief Minister's Task Force Chairman Raja Anwar said on Friday. According to a press release he was talking to a delegation from the All-Pakistan Private Schools Welfare Association led by its president Syed Zulqarnain Shah.

Anwar said that in respect of the reputation and the decorum of educational institutions, the Punjab Inspector General Police had been issued instructions that no police officials should enter any private school in uniform. He assured the delegation that a notification regarding the cancellation of the 5th and 8th classes' exams, held under the Punjab Examination Commission (PEC), would be issued within days.

Anwar also directed Punjab Education Foundation (PEF) authorities to immediately release Education Voucher Scheme cheques to private schools. He said the PEF would continue providing financial assistance to private schools in order to enhance the literacy rate among the poor. Appreciating the government's efforts to promote education in the province, Zulqarnain said, "Enforcement of education emergency is the need of the hour for the promotion of education, but implementation of unkind educational policies, formed by the bureaucracy, is ruining the chief minister's vision of 'Education For All'."

The delegation also highlighted that callous educational policies were being planned without consulting the representative organisations of the private schools. They said the education sector was very vital, adding that education friendly policies should be adopted to increase the country's literacy rate. Daily times

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Prof Imtiaz new KEMU controller exams
Lahore: The King Edward Medical University (KEMU), Lahore, on Friday, notified the appointment of Prof Imtiaz Akhtar Bajwa, professor of Urology, as the controller of examinations.

The former controller of examinations, Prof Khalid Aziz, Professor of Forensic Medicine, resigned from the post on November 11.

Meanwhile, the university clarifies, ìThe vice-chancellor never interferes in the working of examination department. There is a Dean's Committee, which approves the date sheets of different examinations, setting of papers and other administrative issues. However, being the head of the institution, the VC has to maintain check and balance for the smooth running of the institution, which is his prime duty.

In response to the twice advertised post of controller of examinations, a special selection board, comprising of retired professors, technocrats and one member from Punjab Public Service Commission, interviewed candidates but did not recommend anyone to be appointed on the post, it adds.

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AIMC convocation
Lahore: The 10th Convocation of Allama Iqbal Medical College is likely to be held in 2nd week of January 2010. A press release said graduates of 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2008 would be awarded degrees and medals respectively.

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Qul at Punjab university
Qul for the wife of Hameed Ahmed Khan, the former vice-chancellor of the Punjab University, will be held today (Saturday) at 804 DHA, Lahore after Zuhar prayer. She left behind six sons Saeed Ahmed, Khalil Ahmed Khan, Jamil Ahmed Khan, Waqar Ahmed Khan, Mansur Ahmed and Mumtaz Ahmed Khan.She was buried on Friday. Punjab Governor Salman Taseer and people from a cross section of society attended the funeral. The news

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