ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal on Tuesday directed authorities to reassess staffing requirements at Daanish Schools and ensure that teacher recruitment is aligned with student-teacher ratio, as the government reviewed measures to strengthen the schools’ governance, administration and long-term financial sustainability.
The minister chaired the first meeting of the Steering Committee of the Daanish School Authority, which examined the authority’s restructuring, human resource requirements, financial implications, governance framework and administrative structure.
The meeting also discussed a five- to 10-year financial sustainability plan for Daanish Schools, along with teacher training and a roadmap for implementing proposed reforms.
The Education Secretary briefed the meeting that the Daanish School model was entirely focused on providing free education to underprivileged students. Children enrolled in the schools are provided free education as well as accommodation in hostels, meals and other essential facilities.
Iqbal directed that recruitment of teachers at Daanish Schools should be carried out according to student-teacher ratios. The committee also instructed officials to conduct another review of the schools’ overall staffing requirements.
The planning minister said Daanish Schools would provide children from disadvantaged backgrounds with an education comparable to that offered by prestigious institutions such as Aitchison College, in line with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s vision.
He said the schools were being established in underdeveloped and disadvantaged areas with the objective of transforming the future of communities living there.
The meeting also discussed the National Curriculum Framework 2026. Iqbal directed that the framework be sent to the prime minister for a detailed review and called for the formation of a committee to examine it comprehensively so that potential issues could be addressed before implementation.
He stressed that broad consensus on the National Curriculum Framework among all political parties, members of provincial assemblies and other stakeholders was essential.
Iqbal said a comprehensive and inclusive review of the curriculum framework was necessary to ensure that future education reforms were implemented smoothly and with wider stakeholder support.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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