Rawalpindi private schools to remain open

Private school to remain open until closure notification
Rawalpindi, Nov 6: The Rawalpindi Association of Private Schools (RAPS) has decided to keep all affiliated academic institutions open until issuance of a fresh notification by the government regarding their closure.

The decision to this effect was taken in a meeting of the RAPS here on Thursday.

RAPS spokesperson Tahmeena Malik said that owners and principals of affiliated private schools attended the meeting and discussed security arrangements.

It was decided that all schools would charge around Rs50 to Rs100 from each student to install CCTV cameras in their educational institutions besides taking other security measures. She made it clear that this amount will be charged only once because schools cannot bear the expenses of security arrangements on their own.

Tahmeena said that all heads of schools would arrange meetings with parents and brief them on security arrangements in their institutions. "After that the government would not be able to blame school administrations in case of any untoward incident," she added.

She said that most schools have adopted security measures and an inspection team from the government has visited many schools and they are satisfied with the security arrangements, but they haven't issued any clearance certificate to these schools.

16 schools asked to close campuses
Rawalpindi: As many as 16 schools, falling in jurisdiction of Potohar Town, have been closed due to poor security measures taken by the schools administration, security agency sources said on Thursday.

The order of the closure of the schools was issued by SP (Potohar Division) Kamran Adil on the directives of District Coordination Officer (Rawalpindi) Imdadullah Bosal.

While, City Police Officer (Rawalpindi) Rao Muhammad Iqbal summoned an emergency meeting of heads of schools and reviewed security gauges taken to counter threats of violence. The CPO asked the schools administrations to adopt security measures according to Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) set to protect educational government and private institutions in the district.

CPO (Rawalpindi), Rao Iqbal said that to provide sense of security among the parents and students was responsibility of the school administration. He said that during the meeting, administrations of all schools, not meeting SOP of security, have been warned for taking security measures immediately.

The school administrations have been asked to adopt visible security environment in and around the educational institutions. He said that 8-feet high boundary wall, deployment of private security guards, installation of walkthrough gates and close circuit TV cameras are basic needs of security. He said that government wanted to create sense among the students and parents to provide peaceful environment to them.

Rao Iqbal said that joint monitoring teams of district administration and police have been formed to observe security measures of educational institutions according to SOP, adding that the severe action would be taken against the administrations of school found violating the security SOP.

Our correspondent adds: In another meeting with the representatives of around forty schools, the DCO asked them to adopt proper security measures. He said that only 30 per cent of the schools have made security arrangements. He asked them to install CCTV cameras and deploy trained security guards at the rooftops of their buildings. The news

Poor security at schools, colleges
Islamabad: Opposition lawmakers in the National Assembly decried on Thursday what they termed improper security arrangements to safeguard federal educational institutions against the threats of terrorism.

Some lawmakers protested instructions to women by some institutions to put off gowns and scarves at university campuses in the federal capital.

Through a calling attention, PML-N MNAs said there was an overall sense of insecurity at the educational institutions.

Responding to the legislators' queries, state education minister said the government had taken all possible measures to stave off any threat of terrorism.

He denied the reports of any official order asking women students and teachers at university level institutions to put off their gowns and scarves while at the campuses, adding that only identity cards were checked to ensure security. Dawn

Post your comments

New media university plan for professionals training
Islamabad: Ministry of Information and Broadcasting would soon set up a Media University to provide required training to mediapersons enabling them to meet the challenges of modern time. "The Ministry would set up a Media University where special courses would be offered for media representatives," said Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Mansoor Suhail on Wednesday.

He was addressing the inaugural ceremony of the 26th batch of Common Training Programme here at the Information Service Academy (ISA).

"I congratulate our new officers, who have been inducted in this honourable service purely on the basis of merit. As Secretary Information, I assure you with confidence that a consistent observation and regard for merit will remain my sole guiding principle in discharging my duties," he said.

He said joining the Information Group was a challenging job as the Ministry directly interacts with the country policy makers.

"We take great pride in regarding the Information Service as a group of upwardly mobile professionals who are poised to play an important role in statecraft," he added.

Mansoor Suhail also highlighted the importance and working of the Ministry in the projection of government policies in the presence of a large number of private print and electronic media.

The Secretary shared his experience with the new officers and encouraged them to work with devotion and dedication for the national cause.

He also quoted the saying of former  US  President , John F Kennedy that "do not consider that what America can do for you, but do consider that what can do for your."

Mansoor Suhail said the Ministry would ensure provision of sufficient facilities to its officers, adding "there are many dimensions of this career to feel involved and meet the challenges of the present time."

He said the Ministry is gearing up to play a front-line role in Pakistan's public diplomacy at home and broad.

"Using strategic vision and innovative practices, we need to play a critical role in promoting understanding between government and the people through creative massaging on national interest, progressive attitudes, hope and courage," the Secretary added.

Mansoor Suhail wished them best and success in their future endeavors and said "I assure you my full institutional support and personal mentoring.". APP

Post your comments

IIUI welcomed government help for blast victim
Islamabad: The International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) has welcomed Interior Minister Rehman Malik's announcement to pay Rs one million to Parvaiz Masih for sacrificing his life to save female students in October 20's suicide attack, says a statement issued here.

It added Dr Anwar Hussain Siddiqui, President IIUI, appreciated Malik's announcement that Masih's son would be provided a job in police. It said the university employees and students were also raising funds for supporting the deceased s' families and those injured in the attack.

Siddiqui, however, drew the attention of Malik towards one security guard Shaukat, who was seriously injured while intercepting the bomber. "We have recommended to the government to award compensation to Shaukat as well," the IIUI president said in his statement. Daily times

Post your comments

Hard work vital to become a scientist
Islamabad: Curiosity to learn and continuous hard work with determination are basics to become successful scientist, said Dr Ashfaq Ahmad, advisor to Prime Minister on Science and Technology and Minister of Sate here on Thursday.

He was addressing at the certificate distribution ceremony organized for the participants of 14th National Physics Talent Contest at National Centre for Physics (NCP).

The contest started on November 1 and will end on November 8. A total of 42 students are participating in the event. During the training camp students will be given an extensive training and coaching in physics and an opportunity will be provided to interact with distinguished scientists and physicists to give them exposure of the current developments and research trends in the field of Physics.

Five students will be selected for participation in the 41st International Physics Olympiad scheduled in summer 2010 in Zagreb, Croatia. Describing the details of the basic idea and history of National Physics Talent Contest, he said that the programme was initiated with personal involvement of then President Farooq Ahmad Khan Leghari in 1994, when the need was aroused to send Pakistani talent for representation at International Physics Olympiad held every year.

Dr Abdullah Sadiq played a pivotal role in establishment of this talent pool. Since 2001 Pakistan has been regularly participating in this august event at international level and won two silver and bronze medals and got best performance award as new entry in this event.

Earlier, NCP Director General Dr Hamid Salim in his welcome address urged the young students to focus on their studies and play their contributory role in development of science culture in Pakistan so that in coming years it may emerge as developed nation in the field of science and research. Participants visited different technical facilities and research labs at NCP and lauded the facilities and equipment present at the outfit.

Post your comments

Elevation of junior doctor as JPMC chief criticised
Islamabad: Elevation of a junior doctor to the post of in-charge executive director of Karachi's Jinnah Post-Graduate Medical Centre was criticised in the National Assembly on Thursday.

Parliamentary Secretary on Health Dr Mehrin Bhutto defended the appointment of Dr Salim and said that although he was number six on the seniority but he had been given the charge till appointment of a permanent official to the post which fell vacant on October 20.

Dunya Aziz of the PML-Q alleged that the junior doctor was elevated to the senior post because he was a friend of Health Minister Aijaz Jakhrani.Riaz Pirzada of the same party asked why the most senior doctor had not been made in-charge.

Dr Mehrin said that a summary comprising names of three senior doctors would be sent to the prime minister for permanent appointment after the health minister returned from abroad.

The house was informed that a resolution was passed by the JPMC academic council against the elevation of a junior doctor to the position superseding six senior doctors.

Post your comments

Urdu-Sanskrit dictionary launched
Islamabad: National Language Authority (NLA) has launched the second edition of the Urdu-Sanskrit Dictionary, considering the deep influence of Sanskrit on all major languages spoken in the country.

While launching the dictionary, NLA Chairman Iftikhar Arif said Sanskrit holds a significant status among all languages spoken in the sub-continent and South Asia.

Sanskrit has played a pivotal role in development of Urdu diction and language as well as enriched its vocabulary. Keeping in view the importance of Sanskrit for literary circles, National Language Authority has earlier published the first edition of Sanskrit-Urdu dictionary in 1992, which was compiled by Dr. Mohammad Ansar Ullah.

All the copies of the first edition were sold in a short span of time and now the second edition of the dictionary has published and launched with a hope that all the educational and literary circles will welcome the dictionary, he said. The news

Post your comments