Uniform education system in capital

PM announces upgradation of ICT educational institutions, teachers' posts
Islamabad, Nov 10: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Monday announced all educational institutions in the capital to be upgraded to model schools and colleges. The Prime Minister in a bid to ensure improvement in the quality and standard of education in Islamabad Capital Territory, also approved upgradation of posts of teachers working under the Federal Directorate of Education.Addressing educationists and teachers at a function on the 'Uniformity of education systems and upgradation of teachers in ICT', the Prime Minister agreed in principle the demand for enhancing the charge allowance to the Heads and Principals of institutions.

He stressed Ministry of Education in collaboration with CDA and ICT to arrange transport facilities for students and teachers especially in the rural areas.

He asked the ministry to consider establishment of Federation Public School in Islamabad as well as a Model University to cater for the affiliation needs of ICT graduate and postgraduate colleges, presently affiliated with University of Punjab, Lahore.

Gilani said dignified social status for the teachers would earn due respect from other fields of life reducing frustration and attracting best of the best for the teachers' job.

The Prime Minister urged teachers to assume full responsibility of the future of students and turn them into productive and responsible citizens of the country.  

Teachers have to dedicate all the efforts towards students' physical, emotional, moral and intellectual grooming, he added.

The Prime Minister said no efforts will prove productive unless the teacher who is the main contributor is adequately honored and looked after.

"My devotion towards promotion of education is in fact a reflection of the policies of my government and my party," he added.

Gilani said Pakistan People's Party (PPP) after assuming the responsibilities of the country has been endeavoring to reduce differences between the rich and the poor especially in the field of education.   

"We claim that the roots of the party are among the people of Pakistan and this is how we represent them on every forum nationally and internationally," he remarked.

As a part of policy, he said, the privileges for the common man need to be raised to the level of the rich to eliminate discrimination in opportunities.  

Every child is possessed with a spark of talent and it is for the teachers to discover and polish it, he said adding, "my vision of quality education rests on the shoulders of teachers."

He expressed the hope that the Ministry of Education and Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) will ensure that the benefits reach the grassroots level at the earliest so that the results can be seen and shown to others in the country.

The Prime Minister said after the passage of 18th amendment, the issue of national curriculum in future could be taken up at the forum of Council of Common Interest (CCI) and in line with the constitution.

Federal Minister for Education Sardar Aseff Ahmad Ali, Minister of State for Education Ghulam Farid Kathia, Director General Federal Directorate of Education Dr. Shaheen Khan were present on the occasion. app

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50 students selected for US micro-scholarship
Islamabad: United States Embassy Minister Counsellor for Public Affairs Walter Douglas greeted 50 students selected for the English Access Micro-scholarship programme.

The Micro-scholarship programme is focused to provide a foundation of English language skills to under-privileged students in which they will participate in 400 hours of intensive after-school classes and summer learning activities over a period of two years.

Addressing the seminar Douglas highlighted the role of this scholarship programme in their future endeavours.

"We believe in helping students develop English skills that will give them tools to further their academic goals, enhance their career prospects and help build a strong relationship between our countries," said Douglas.

Manager Micah Risher said that the English Access Micro-scholarship programme provides a foundation of English language skills to non-elite 14-18 years old students through after school classes and intensive summer learning activities.

He said that the programme is introduced in 70 countries of the world since its inception in 2004 and presently over 55,000 students are enrolled under it.

In Pakistan, he said, 1,800 students have been passed out whereas 5,000 are currently enrolled in the programme in different cities including Peshawar, Lahore, Karachi, Multan, Bahawalpur, Dera Ismail Khan, Dera Ghazi Khan etc. The news

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Illegal private schools in residential area causing trouble for the masses
Islamabad: Illegal Private Schools and academies in the residential areas of capital city Islamabad are causing inconveniences for the masses.

Sources told that illegal schools and academies in the residential areas, in different sectors of Islamabad causing inconvenience for the residents, in this connection traffic jam has become a routing matter especially in school timing.

Besides this, Vendors carts in front of schools causing inconvenience for the residents however law is being violated in many sectors of Islamabad.

Residents of the areas demanded from the CDA to take action against violator and owners of the building should be bounded to make proper arrangements for parking. The nation

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Iqbal Day at IIUI
Islamabad: The International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) will commemorate Iqbal Day in all its departments on Tuesday (today) to pay tribute to the 'Poet of the East'.

Prof Fateh Mohammad Malik, IIUI rector, will preside over the main function at the Ibn-e-Khaldoon faculty to discuss the life and work of Allama Iqbal. IIUI President Dr Anwar Hussain Siddiqui will be the chief guest.

The university has arranged seminars, interactive discussions, tableau, poetry recitation and essay writing competitions on the life and works of Allama Iqbal. app

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An inspirational poetry session at Froebel's
Rawalpindi: The upper secondary students of Froebel's International School sensitised their audience with vocal rendition at the school's annual 'mushaira' event here on Monday. The evening commenced with verses from Amir Khusro's golden era of poetry, followed by Bahadur Shah Zafar's poignant words. Students evoked the depth of Ghalib and the melodious rhythm of Faraz with a proficiency that captivated the audiences. The 'mushaira' concluded with some of Allama Iqbal's inspiring verses, portraying the strife experienced by pre-Partition Muslims in their struggle for emancipation.

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Annual sports day at GSIS
Islamabad: GSIS School (Global System of Integrated Studies) celebrated its annual sports day of Montessori section here on Monday.

Montessori In-charge Lubna in her speech emphasized the importance of sports and competition in one's life. She said that the extra-curricular activities teach children about the disappointments and encourages healthy competitions in life. Sports are also necessary for the overall grooming of the individual.

The choir of GSIS girls' branch sang motivational songs. Students of kindergarten walked in with flag and the girls of the same class performed on world's renowned song while pre-nursery class walked in by performing on a song sung by choir. Nursery class gave an outstanding aerobics performance in front of the audience. After colourful presentations different races were also conducted.

Later medals and certificates of appreciation were given to the winners by the Principal Qurat ul Ain Haider.

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HEC's regional policy dialogue
Islamabad: With an aim to develop understanding of national policies, institutional approaches and outreach programmes among the thirteen countries in the region, Regional Policy Dialogue would be held from November 23-25.

The conference would be organised by Higher Education Commission (HEC) in collaboration with the British Council, which helps delegates to formulate policies that enable knowledge transfer for economic and social benefit.

While addressing to the press briefing, HEC Advisor Quality Control Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed revealed the details of the conference to the media persons and said that over 35 delegates from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Turkey, UK, Uzbekistan and India will participate in the major regional symposium which will explore what education providers, governments and industry can go together to encourage knowledge transfer and to support its development within the higher education sector.

He said that the event will feature keynote sessions, roundtable reviews, penal discussions, parallel sessions and action planning meetings. It will provide a framework for future collaborative work around this knowledge transfer initiative.

Dr. Ahmed said that there will be a modest seed corn fund available to develop collaborative work, for example, to develop case studies. However, he refused revealing any details about the funds and said that the details of this fund will be announced at the event. "The learning from this event and similar policy dialogues in 2010 will be taken forward to the next Going Global Conference to be held in Hong Kong in April 2011, he added.

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Achievement
Islamabad: The Pakistani lead author, Mariam Anees, a 26-year-old PhD student at the Medical University of Vienna, Austria was awarded with the Austrian Life Science Award (ALSA) in a ceremony at the Schonbrunn Palace, in Vienna, says a press release issued here on Tuesday.

As the main winner, she received the award for her contribution to clinical research in the working group of urologic tumors. The study examined the proteins of TRAIL-initiated protective mechanism in prostate cancer cells. Mariam Anees has managed to find evidence for more accurate forecasts and innovative therapies for advanced prostate cancer. This success, just two years after coming from Pakistan was a result of her dedication and motivating environment, which led to the awarding of the ALSA. The results were published in the journal Cancer. The news

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