Evaluation in education system lacks proper monitoring

Although, the educational policies devised by the government are clear, but the real problem in our educational system is lack of proper monitoring and evaluation system. This observation was made by Ambreen Asif Qureshi, Manager Programmes, Commecs Institute of Education, Karachi, while talking to Business Recorder.
Ambreen Asif Qureshi, who is also Convenor Education Chapter, Quality and Productivity Society of Pakistan, stated that there existed no structure of quality assurance at the governmental level. She opined that quality assurance in the field of education could be achieved through putting in place an effective system of evaluation and monitoring at all levels.
Praising Higher Education Commission (HEC), she maintained that HEC had recently established Quality Cell to ensure quality of education in the universities. The HEC has also asked the universities to set up quality education cells in their respective institutions. Although, HEC has evolved Quality Assurance Criteria (QAC) for quality education but it is in preliminary stage, she said.
She suggested that HEC should provide a platform to both private and public sector educational institutions to update their knowledge on latest trends in education field.
Answering a question, Ambreen Asif Qureshi said although there was some improvement in quality of education at university level, but much more was to be done to ensure quality of education at schools level, particularly primary level.
To a question regarding imparting training to the teachers, she was of the view that training of teachers is a continuos process but the need is to identify training needs of teachers and also start focussed training of teachers with proper monitoring and follow up system. Emphasising the need for application of information system in the education sector, she stated that reliable data of students, faculty and examinations is necessary to help bring changes for improvement.
Talking about Commecs, she stated that it was non-profit organisation established with the objective to bring quantum change in quality of education. 'We are extending teachers training at all levels and 5 percent seats are allocated to the teachers of public sector institutions'.
Answering another question, Ambreen Asif Qureshi stated that private sector universities have established linkages with the private sector and they are producing results for the benefit of industry. She was of the view that industry can get maximum benefits with the academic research, which requires sufficient funds and government encouragement in this connection.
To another query, she said that National Commission for Human Development (NCHD) is rendering valuable services for the promotion of education at school level. She was of the view that problems at school levels are grim and the government needs to 'adopt target oriented approach' to improve the state of affairs at school level so that the goal of 100 percent literacy rate could be achieved.
Answering another question, she stated that examination system being followed by different boards is outdated, hence the government must take the stakeholders into confidence to evolve an effective system.