BISE authorities exploiting students
BISE circular created confusion
Lahore, Jan 10: Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE) has
declared the B-form optional for science students of 9th class but
issued circular after the closing date of admission forms, which not
only created confusion among the school administration but also caused
massive nuisance for the students and their parents, TheNation has
learnt. However, City school
administrations are insisting students to deposit Rs 500 to Rs 800
besides admission fees for getting new birth certificates and for the
registration of their dates of birth according to computerised birth
certificates in the record of BISE. Whereas, heads of various schools
blamed that the BISE authorities did not formally informed the school
administrations in this regard even after issuing circular and declaring
B-form optional, which caused confusion among the school
administrations, students and BISE authorities. "As
they were not aware with any such decision or announcement made by the
BISE authorities, they continued receiving fees for new computerised
birth certificates from the City District Government or B-form from
Nadra", said a headmistress of a private school of Mozang on condition
of anonymity. Further, heads of some other
private schools of the City, registered with the BISE, alleged that the
clerical staff of BISE is demanding extra amount from the school
administrations for acceptance of admission forms of the metric students
while taking plea that such amount is included in the admission fees of
BISE for matriculation examination and for registration of corrected
date of birth of the students. They further alleged that such officials
of BISE are threatening the school administrations saying them that
admission form of students could be rejected in case they refuse to
deposit such amount. "In fact, the officials are minting millions of
rupees illegally by charging additional amounts as fees from the
students for registration of date of birth", they added. On the other hand, the BISE officials while rejecting the allegation
said that they were not authorised to receive any amount in cash and
they did not force the school administrations or any student to pay any
additional amount for the purpose. However,
some students, on condition of anonymity, said that it might be
possible that school administrations, in connivance with the BISE
officials were charging such amount illegally by taking advantage of
lack of awareness among the students and their parents regarding
decisions of BISE. While talking to this
scribe, Controller Examination Manzoorul Hassan said that BISE had
declared B-form optional for all the science students of 9th class a
couple of weeks ago and all the heads of the govt and private schools
were formally being informed by the authorities concerned. Therefore,
receiving any additional amount by the BISE administration from the
students as fees for this purpose is out of question, he said. The nation
Post your comments
New School Programme third phase launched
Lahore: The Punjab Education Foundation (PEF) on Saturday launched the third phase
of New School Programme (NSP) in 12 different districts under which
16,000 deserving students would get free education through 80 partner
schools. About five schools have been selected in each of the
districts of Khushab, Lodhran, Layyah, Mianwali and Narowal, seven each
in Rahimyar Khan and Toba Tek Singh, eight from Vehari, ten from
Khanewal and Bhakkar, four from Attock and nine from Sargodha. A sum of
Rs 5.6 million will be spent on the education of NSP students every
month. An agreement signing ceremony was held at the Punjab
Institute of Language, Art & Culture (PILAC) Auditorium on Saturday.
The ceremony was presided over by PEF Project Officer (NSP) Hassan
Javed. Hassan told the participants that New School Programme
was designed to educate the poor families' students near to their homes.
He maintained that the NSP was very beneficial to the poor segments of
the society for arranging educational facilities for the disadvantaged
children. The NSP is designed for the less-developed and
deprived sub-urban areas where, because of various socio-economic
deprivations, parents often find it difficult to bear educational
expenditures of their children, especially the girls can't go to far-off
schools, he maintained. Hassan Javed also informed the
participants that New School Programme was already catering to the
educational needs of 17,237 students in 129 partner schools in different
districts.
Post your comments
Outages rile students, parents
Lahore: The prevailing crisis of electricity and gas shortage has been making people's lives
miserable besides badly affecting students, especially those preparing
for examinations. The poor students of Pakistan, the country
already at the bottom among the countries spending low on education
sector, have been facing one challenge after another with no respite in
the sight. Apart from the constant fear and threat of terrorism, the
Pakistani youth has been prone to prolonged hours of electricity
suspension in today's digital age. And now, in freezing temperatures,
the poor students like other people of the country have been made to
fight the scarcity of natural gas. The situation gets worse as
availability of water also becomes almost impossible during electricity
loadshedding. The prevailing crises have severely disrupted
routine life, and further depressing the masses already struggling to
cope with ever increasing inflation."In absence of electricity and
water, sometimes, and shortage of gas in this cold weather, it becomes
quite difficult to prepare children for schools in the morning,'' said
Rubina, a housewife. According to her, during the school hours her
children, like other students, are made to sit in dark classrooms in
case of electricity loadshedding. While the freezing temperature without
sunlight adds to their miseries, she adds. "It seems like we are living
in the Stone Age,'' remarks another citizen, Ali. He was quite critical
of the rulers saying it was unfortunate that none of them was paying
heed to real issues being faced by the masses. He was also critical of
the Punjab Schools Department saying the winter holidays were observed
at a time when the weather was not as cold as now. ģIt seems everything
is being followed illogically in this part of the worldī, he added
dejectedly. The students especially those preparing for upcoming
matriculation and other examinations are greatly perturbed these days. It
is pertinent to mention here that Secondary School Certificate (Annual)
Examination 2011 will commence from March 5 this year while the first
ever 1st semester exam of BS Hons Programme recently introduced in 26
selected colleges of the province have been scheduled for February 2011.
Similarly class-5 and class-8 exams to be held on uniform basis across
the province have been scheduled for February 2011. Besides this, the
students of Virtual University (VU), the country's first varsity based
on modern information and communication technologies (ICTs), are greatly
irked owing to electricity suspension saying it was creating a lot of
trouble for them.Similarly the students pursuing computer education are
critical of the rulers saying it was pity that in this modern age they
are unable to plan strategy to exploit available options of renewable
energy such as solar and wind energy on priority basis. The prevailing
crises do disturb students as a whole whether it is of electricity, gas
or water, said Rana Tanveer, a VU student, adding that the same had been
hampering academic activities. The news
Post your comments
PU VC seeks media help for increase in education budget
Lahore: Punjab University Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Mujahid Kamran stated that the media should use its profound
influence to compel political leadership to allocate minimum of 4
percent of GDP for educational promotion. He was speaking at the annual
dinner hosted in honour of the families of Lahore Press Club members at
the Journalist Housing Society, on Sunday. The Lahore Press Club
President Sarmad Bashir also addressed the audience. Dr kamran
said the print and electronic media were playing a pivotal role in
moulding opinion of general public and the rulers, therefore, media
should continuously highlight the urgent need for allocating requisite
funds for the education sector to improve socio-economic conditions of
the people. He regretted that not a single government in the past ever
realised the vital importance of education for national development and
reconstruction. He said, "The creation and spread of new
knowledge is a must if we want to live an honourable and prosperous life
in the 21st centaury. Pakistan having a population of 175 million
spends a meagre two percent of its GDP of Rs 170 billion on education
against five to seven percent by the developed world. Resultantly,
Pakistan is ranked amongst the last four countries of the world,
including Chad, Ecuador and Equatorial Guinea, which incur lowest
expenditure on education." While speaking on the occasion,
Lahore Press Club President Sarmad Bashir paid tribute to Dr Kamran for
successfully setting a new record of producing over 100 PhDs every year
for the last three years. He said that he would never compromise
on the welfare of his community. He said during the last two years,
together with the governing body members, he had achieved remarkable
success, as the entire development work of the journalist colony stood
completed. He said the Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif had
approved a summary for allotment of 295 plots in the newly developed
F-block. The forms for their allotment would be distributed amongst the
Lahore Press Club members within the next three days and the journalist
would be required to attach a draft amounting to Rs 35,000 along with an
affidavit and copies of their ID cards. He said that the 78
kanals earmarked for the park had been enhanced to 90 kanals while a
modern community centre containing a school mosque and a Madrassa would
also be constructed in the colony. Daily times
Post your comments
Technology park planned in UET
Taxila: A technology park will be established in the University of Engineering and Technology (UET) Taxila to provide
state-of-the-art facilities to scholars, academia, researchers, and
public and private sector enterprises. Dr Mohammed Abbas Choudhary, UET vice chancellor, told reporters on Sunday that measures have been
taken for developing the university's infrastructure in the last three months.
He said seats for students have been doubled in telecom, software and computer engineering departments.
He said three new engineering departments environmental,
electronics and industrial have been introduced in the university,
adding that three new faculties of material, geo-technical, and
aeronautical engineering would be introduced in the next academic year.
He said with the financial assistance of Higher Education Commission
(HEC) and the Punjab government these projects would be completed.
The VC said in the next four years, over 100 faculty members would be
sent to various educational institutions in Pakistan and abroad for
PhD. He said it would be endured that all UET assistant professors
should be PhD.
He said a multi purpose hall would also be constructed for holding convocations, seminars and workshops.
Post your comments
UAF to improve facilities for foreign students
Faisalabad: The University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) is contemplating enhancing
facilities for foreign students to increase their enrolment in future.
This was stated by Vice-Chancellor Dr Iqrar Ahmad while addressing
the annual function of the International Club comprising foreign
students here on Saturday.
He said students from different Islamic countries, including
Afghanistan and Somalia, were studying at the university and the number
of such students would increase in future. He said efforts were under
way to cater to the needs of foreign students and the facilities being
extended to them by the university would be improved.
Facing the requirements of modern age, Dr Ahmad stressed the need for
innovative technologies for education sector of Pakistan to compete
with the developed countries.
He said the UAF was striving for joint ventures with different
international educational institutions, enabling students a conducive
environment for research and exchange of researchers. Addressing the
gathering, International Club Adviser Dr Tahir Siddique said last year
13 students from different countries got admission to the UAF and
communication skills were being imparted to all such students enabling
them to continue their studies without any difficulty and familiarising
them with the culture of the academia.
Post your comments
UVAS to work with Malaysian university
Lahore: The University of Veterinary and Animal
Sciences (UVAS) and University of Putra Malaysia (UPM) on Saturday
signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen teaching, research
and professional services at both varsities. The UVAS also signed a memorandum of understanding with the Halal
Industry Development Corporation to work together, coordinate efforts
and pool multiple resources to help each other achieve maximum potential
and self-reliance on creative scientific approaches and Halal industry
developments.
UVAS Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Nawaz, Faculty of Animal
Production and Technology Dean Prof Dr Talat Naseer Pasha, UPM Deputy
Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Aini Ideris, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Dean
Dr Bashir Ahmad Fateh Mohamed and HDC chief executive officer Y.
Bhg Dato Seri Jamil Bidin were present at the MoU signing ceremonies at Chief Minister's Secretariat.
Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Punjab Livestock and Dairy Development
Department Secretary Jehanzeb Khan, Punjab Investment Board
Vice-Chairman Rizwan Ahmad Khan, Lahore Meat Corporation Managing
Director Dr Hamid Jalil and Halal Industry Development Corporation
Managing Director and former minister Dr Syed Jalal-ud-Din Saleem were
also present. Dawn
Post your comments
GCU kicks off 'Help the Helpless'
Lahore: The Government College University Welfare Society has kicked off
a three-week fund-raising and awareness campaign titled 'Help the
Helpless'. The campaign initiated in collaboration with GCU Endowment
Fund Trust is aimed at raising the awareness among the well-off old
Ravians and students about the importance of helping deserving students,
and collecting funds for them. GCU Welfare
Society Adviser Dr Khalid Manzoor Butt said this is the consecutive
second year the Society has launched the campaign and this year about
150 volunteers have also joined hands with the Society members to work
for the cause. Dr Khalid Butt said the
Society has arranged scores of activities, including art competition,
workshops, movie and bonfire, to make the campaign a success. The
motivational lectures on the importance of promotion of education are
also part of the three-week campaign. The society's volunteers would
also visit classrooms on the campus to motivate students to take part in
the noble cause. Dr Butt said that
students would also meet members of civil society, business
organisations and noted old Ravians and requested them to come forward
and help the deserving students. The most
popular event of the campaign, "GCU Bonfire" will be held on January 18
at the Amphie Theatre in which old Ravian celebrities and artists would
be invited. The money that generates from movie, bonfire and other
recreational activities would be spent on the studies of deserving
students. A painting and art competition is also scheduled to be held on
the theme of 'Help the Helpless' on January 11 to raise awareness among
students through art. GCU Vice Chancellor Prof Khalid Aftab said that universities are not
only meant for making students scholars, scientists and engineers, but
also for making them good humans who care for others. He appreciated the
campaign, saying that the 'haves' have a responsibility towards
'have-nots' about which they at least be aware of. The
Vice Chancellor also called on philanthropists, industrialists,
businessmen and old Ravians to come forward and help the university in
the noble cause, so that the bright students can continue their studies
without mental stress. Aftab said that
every year more than 2,100 GCU students apply for financial aid to meet
their academic expenses but the university unfortunately could not fully
accommodate all of them due to limited funds. Last year, the university
allocated Rs 11 million for the needy students from its budget. The
Vice Chancellor said people should realise that helping a student means
changing the life of a whole family.The GCU Welfare Society Adviser
told media that last year, GCU Welfare Society Silver Scholarship was
initiated from the money generated through this campaign. It is a
perpetual scholarship that would be granted to a deserving student every
year on merit. The nation
Post your comments
827 teachers promoted
Lahore: The office of the EDO (Education) has displayed the lists of the promotion
cases of the government schoolteachers of the provincial metropolis.
The lists contain names of almost 827 primary school teachers (PSTs) and
elementary school teachers (ESTs) who will be promoted soon to the
posts of ESTs and SSTs respectively. The news
Post your comments
Councils to look after 26 Punjab colleges
Rawalpindi: As the Boards of Governors (BoGs) issue in
26 Punjab colleges is lying pending before the Lahore High Court (LHC),
the Punjab Higher Education Department has decided to set up councils
in every college and the move has caused unrest among the teachers, it
has been learnt. Punjab Higher Education Department recently issued a notification
directing the commissioners of every division to form college council
comprising members from within and outside the college apparently to
expedite the decision-making process at the college level.
However, the associations of the college teachers have decided to
resist the move. Resultantly, their resistance is making the
implementation of the project a bit difficult.
The college council will comprise two representatives of the area
MPA, two of students, two of the parents, two of the philanthropists,
one representative each of divisional commissioner, district
coordination officer, one college professor, one associate professor,
one assistant professor, one lecturer besides the college principal and
vice-principal.
The councils will be independent in taking financial decisions for
the betterment of the college. Besides, people from different walks of
life would help in improving the facilities and atmosphere of the
institution.
"With the matter of BoGs lying pending before the LHC, the Punjab
Higher Education Department issued notification on November 29 forming
the controversial councils in the colleges," said Punjab Professors and
Lecturers Association (PPLA) Rawalpindi chapter President Mohammad Ilyas
Qureshi.
Elaborating the teachers' reservations about the councils, Mr Qureshi
said first the unity of command would be abolished as earlier the
college principal used to be the focal person in taking all necessary
decisions. Under the new arrangement, the presence of area MPA and
bureaucracy representatives would seriously affect the chain of command.
The teachers fear that the direct involvement of bureaucracy in the
affairs of colleges might spoil the working atmosphere in the colleges,
he added.
"Direct involvement of the area MPA may polarise the college
environment and the political leadership may promote active politics in
the colleges and political polarization would badly affect the
administrative control of the colleges," said PPLA General Secretary
Rauf Ahmed Shah.He said practically the college principal would lose the
administrative control with the presence of bureaucracy and politicians
in the council.
The association representatives were of the opinion that the concept
of the council would be helpful in developed nations but it would not
deliver desired results in Pakistani society where vested and personal
interests were given priority over collective interests. When contacted
Director Rawalpindi Colleges Dr Mohammad Ashraf said the college council
already existed in the institutions and the Higher Education Department
had decided only to expand them and make them active.
"The councils will be set up in the colleges where BoGs are being
constituted to ensure speedy decision making at the college level
especially regarding maintenance and repair work of the institutions",
the director said. The principals of the colleges have been directed to
name the panels of the representatives for students, parents and
philanthropists and send the proposals to the commissioner who will
finalize the panel, Dr Ashraf said. Dawn
Post your comments
| 
