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"The proposed developed projects of the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) will focus on introducing a single curriculum, increase in literacy rate and reduce number of out-of-school children, besides introduction of contemporary education in religious seminaries."

This was stated by Federal Minister for Federal Education, Professional Training, National History and Literary Heritage, Shafqat Mehmood while briefing the Senate Standing Committee here on Wednesday.

Chaired by Senator Rahila Magsi, the Senate Standing Committee on Federal Education, Professional Training, National History and Literary Heritage met on Wednesday to discuss the details of appointment of vice chancellors in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, proposed PSDP by the ministry, the Dyslexia Special Measures Bill, 2019, hurdles being faced by the students of Balochistan, issues pertaining to NCHD teachers, and the University of Islamabad Bill, 2020.

The meeting was attended by Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, Senator Prof Dr Mehr Taj Roghani, Senator Samina Saeed, Senator Engr Rukhsana Zuberi, Senator Mir Kabeer Ahmed Muhammad Shahi, Senator Muhammad Usman Khan Kakar, Senator Javed Abbasi and senior officers from the Ministry of Federal Education, Professional Training, National History and Literary Heritage, HEC, NHCD along with all concerned.

The committee deliberated over on point of public importance raised in the House by Senator Javed Abbasi regarding "appointment of vice chancellors in the universities of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa."

The committee directed the HEC to look into the matter and give clear-cut directions that all appointments must be done on merit.

Conversation over the Dyslexia Special Measures Bill, 2019 moved by Senator Samina Saeed in the Senate sitting on January 06, 2020 took place in the committee and the bill was approved unanimously.

Discussing the point of public importance regarding salaries of NCHD teachers, raised by Senator Muhammad Usman Khan Kakar in the Senate sitting held on 06 January, 2020, the committee was informed that the NCHD had submitted the revised PC-1 to the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training (Feeder Teacher Salary Component), which after completing the codal formalities at their level forwarded the PC-1 to the Ministry of Planning, Development and Reforms in May 2019, for the period of July 2019-December 2019.

The programme has been funded by PSDP since 2013 through PC-1 titled improving Human Development Indicators in Pakistan (education related) with focus on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), run by NCHD.

The committee stressed the need for the project to be made permanent and increasing the salaries of teachers working for the project. Minister for Federal Education, Professional Training, National History and Literary Heritage, Shafqat Mehmood assured the committee that the government is looking towards shifting the budget allocated for this programme from development to non-development; thus, making the project permanent.

The University of Islamabad Bill, 2020 was discussed in the meeting. Senator Mehr Taj Roghani and Senator Engr Rukhsana Zuberi stressed the need for allocation of seats for less-developed areas and said that regulation must be put in place for this. Shafqat Mehmood assured the committee of compliance.

Scrutinizing the PSDP proposed by the ministry, Shafqat Mehmood informed the committee that the main objectives of development projects are to introduce a single curriculum all over the country, increase in literacy rate, reduce the number of out-of-school children, introduce the contemporary education in religious seminaries, introduce skills education, as a new stream for matriculation examination in ICT, GB and AJK, introduce a system of uniform assessment of students at boards of intermediate and secondary of education and enhance learning skills of students through introduction of technologies.

Senator Engr Rukhsana Zuberi was of the opinion that more funds should be allocated for skills/technical education projects. Details of the Hunarmand Pakistan Programme were shared. The committee directed the ministry for an exclusive meeting on the programme in the next meeting.

The committee discussed the point of public importance raised by Senator Mir Kabeer Muhammad Ahmed Shahi regarding problems being faced by the students in Balochistan who were awarded the PM Scholarship Programme from in 2011.

These students were admitted to well-reputed institutions; however, their fees have been delayed due to which certificates of these students have been withheld.

He asserted that this programme must be continued for the next five years. The committee directed the minister to look into the issue personally and waive the fees so that students are facilitated.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020

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