Stocktaking meeting on 'ranking of provincial constituencies on education' held

The participants at a stocktaking meeting on "Ranking of provincial constituencies on education" organised by Institute of Social and Policy Sciences (I-SAPS) and Alif Ailaan on Tuesday, emphasised to allocate more resources to the education sector for Research and Development purposes.
They also highlighted the need to use these resources appropriately by authorities concerned. In their opinion political engagement is critical to solve the problems in education sector. It is unfortunate that in past we were unable to bridge the gap between the government departments, including education sector and public representatives and elders of the community. They viewed that the role of public representatives was significant to improve the situation of education in the country.
Furthermore, public representatives should be informed about the problems being faced by the education sector and involved them to resolve these issues. They appreciated the efforts of I-SAPS in this regards. Speaking at the event, Jaffar Raza District Co-ordinator of I-SAPS informed the participants that I-SAPS with the collaboration of Alif Ailaan, after an in-depth research, developed a Ranking Card of Provincial Constituencies on Education of District Lahore. This Ranking Card highlighted the educational ranking of 25 provincial constituencies of Lahore.
He informed the participants that the ranking card was developed by studying two aspects, ie educational score and school score. Educational score was viewed by studying four indicators, including percentage of examination results of classes 5, 8 and 10 respectively, attendance of teachers, students and cleanliness of students and schools. Whereas availability of basic facilities, ie provision of water, electricity, boundary wall and toilet were examined while developing school score.
Raza said that as per educational score data ranking 5 top constituencies of Lahore are PP-154, PP-153, PP-143,PP-151,PP-160 whereas low ranking constituencies are PP-140, PP-145,PP-139,PP147 and PP-137. He added that as per school score ranking there are 16 constituencies which ranked at 1st position from total 25 provincial constituencies in Lahore district.
Barrister Amir Hussain Co-ordinator Pakistan People's Party (PPP) appreciated the efforts of the I-SAPS and said that the study of "Ranking Card of Provincial Constituencies" would be very useful for resolving the issues related to education at constituency level.
Naseem Bano general secretary Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) Punjab said that the initiative of I-SAPS will keep citizens as well as public representatives and local politicians informed about the educational situation in their area.
Irtaza Kazmi President MQM Lahore said that constituency level information about the education and schools will provide an opportunity to the members of Taleemi Network established by I-SAPS last year to raise issues related to schools with education department as well as with MPAs.
Rana Mazhar Hussain Chairman Sarafa Union said the role of the common citizen would be very important to play for improving the situation of schools and resultantly quality of education. Rana Liaqat Ali Additional Secretary General Punjab Teachers Union said that ranking data card will help teachers to involve local community, parents, and members of school councils to take appropriate steps to ensure the presence of basic facilities of the schools and present issues before education department forcefully. Sajjad Kazmi Reporter/Secretary General, Jahan-e-Pakistan/LEARA highlighted the issues related to education and educational data ranking card will help media persons to report data and keep public informed.
Sohail Bashir Senior Vice President Lahore Division, Punjab Professor and Lectures Association also appreciated the efforts of the I-SAPS to improve the situation of schools and enhance quality of education in the country. Stocktaking meeting was attended by a large number of public representatives, local politicians, members of Taleemi Network, media persons and academia.