Govt keen to ban guess papers, tuition centres
Lahore, Sep 02: The Punjab government is seeking help of the Law Department and Intelligence agencies to take action against publishers of guide books, guess papers and runners of tuition centres in the province, sources in the Education Department said here Tuesday.
They revealed that a meeting in this regard was held at the Punjab Civil Secretariat on Saturday last, which was headed by Rana Muhammad Afzal, chairman committee on guide books and guess papers. The committee was formed by Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif. The meeting was attended by Secretary Law, Secretary Higher Education and Secretary Schools, DIG Special Branch, Chairman Textbook Board, principal of certain colleges and schools, all the stake-holders including President Urdu Bazaar, owners of tuition centres and two publishers of guess papers and guide books.
The sources disclosed that all the stakeholders had assured the committee members their cooperation for banning the publication of such material. An official of the Education Department said that there were eleven publishers of guide books and five of guess papers, who maintain that "it is a big business as every year around 2.2 million students of matriculation and 1.2 million of Intermediate get help from such help books."
When contacted Rana M Afzal said that the stake-holders were aware of the dire results of such publications and they had pledged to help the committee in this regard.
He said that the publication of key books, guess papers and guides was not only harming the quality of education, but the publishers were also breaking into the examination system, to make their guess papers more and more invincible. Regarding tuition centres, Rana said, "The owners of academies believe that parents do not want their children waste time, as the schools did not remain open throughout the year, thus they send them to tuition centres."
"They also advocate that teachers belong to a low paid community and they cannot earn their bread depending only upon their salaries," he said and added, "They have also maintained that learning more and more is the basic right of a student." The matter would be examined thoroughly and it would take time, Rana concluded. The nation
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Private institutions step up drive for admission
Lahore, Sep 02: The University of Engineering and Technology (UET) has extended the last date till September 5 (Saturday) for admission in session 2009-10 against reserved seats in the varsity for other provinces and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on reciprocal basis.
Other professional institutions have also extended admission date ranging from Sept 5, 7 and 12. The AJK immigrants can also apply for admission to Pakistani varsities against their reserved seats.
Admission forms for medical and dental colleges could be submitted by October 7, engineering and other courses by Sept 12, and for Agriculture University Faisalabad by Sept 7 to the Additional Secretary Education (Colleges) Muzaffarabad.
Meanwhile, following display of last merit lists on August 31 in government colleges for graduate and postgraduate studies, and near the completion of admission process in Intermediate second shifts, the private colleges and varsities have accelerated their admission campaign for those who could not get admission. Most of these institutions either do not have any charter from the government or are affiliated with the institutions other than the Punjab University, Lahore Board and Board of Technical Education. Legally no other varsity can grant affiliation to any institution operating in its jurisdiction. The Punjab University has also drawn a list of the institutions, de-affiliated by it for not fulfilling the basis requirement. But these institutions are still admitting the students. Similarly, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) has also drawn a list of universities and colleges not recognised by it or which do not have any charter to act as varsity. However, these institutions as well whose quality of education and credibility of degree is questionable, are continuing to allure the unwary students due to lack of any administrative machinery to disband them. The nation
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Lahore, Sep 02: The University of Engineering and Technology (UET) has extended the last date till September 5 (Saturday) for admission in session 2009-10 against reserved seats in the varsity for other provinces and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on reciprocal basis.
Other professional institutions have also extended admission date ranging from Sept 5, 7 and 12. The AJK immigrants can also apply for admission to Pakistani varsities against their reserved seats.
Admission forms for medical and dental colleges could be submitted by October 7, engineering and other courses by Sept 12, and for Agriculture University Faisalabad by Sept 7 to the Additional Secretary Education (Colleges) Muzaffarabad.
Meanwhile, following display of last merit lists on August 31 in government colleges for graduate and postgraduate studies, and near the completion of admission process in Intermediate second shifts, the private colleges and varsities have accelerated their admission campaign for those who could not get admission. Most of these institutions either do not have any charter from the government or are affiliated with the institutions other than the Punjab University, Lahore Board and Board of Technical Education. Legally no other varsity can grant affiliation to any institution operating in its jurisdiction. The Punjab University has also drawn a list of the institutions, de-affiliated by it for not fulfilling the basis requirement. But these institutions are still admitting the students. Similarly, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) has also drawn a list of universities and colleges not recognised by it or which do not have any charter to act as varsity. However, these institutions as well whose quality of education and credibility of degree is questionable, are continuing to allure the unwary students due to lack of any administrative machinery to disband them. The nation
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Favouritism continues to make presence felt
Karachi, Sep 01: Despite tall claims made by the Sindh government and authorities at the Education department, practices of out-of-turn postings, detailments and hiring of non-technical staff at administrative post are still being carried out, it has been learnt.
Earlier this week, Education Executive District Officer (EDO) Muhammad Ibrahim Kumbhar issued a office order, number EDOE/Esst./CDGK/ (16994-98)/2009, according to which, Mazhar Jawaid, PET, BS-17, was allowed to work in the office of the Assistant District Officer, Education, Elementary (Male), Gulberg Town, till further orders.
Ironically, Jawaid, who is a physical trainer (PET), is posted at the office rather than a school, where his services would be put to better use.
The notification further said that Mazhar Jawaid, PET, BS-17, working in GBLSS Kamyab, Block 16, F. B. Area, against the post of Higher School Teacher is transferred and posted in GBSS, Allama Iqbal, Block 6, F. B. Area, Gulberg Town against Muhammad Saddiq, PET, BS-17. Furthermore, Saddiq was transferred and posted in GBSS, F. C. Area, Liaquatabad Town on administrative grounds till further orders.
In another case, Asadullah Bhutto, a Subject Specialist Cadre (BS-17), Government NJV Girls Higher Secondary School, Karachi was transferred and posted as Assistant District Officer (ADO), Education, (Male) Gulberg Town, Karachi and notification number NoSO(S-1)9-1/T&P/09 was issued to this effect. Despite the fact that the order was cancelled by the authorities, Bhutto somehow managed to get himself restored and became ADO Lyari.
Other subject specialist cadre (BS-17) working as ADOs at different towns include Amer Ali (New Karachi), Zahid Abbas (Gulshan), Bashir Ahmed Abbasi (Keamari), Muzaffar Ali Chana (Korangi), Chaman Lal (Landhi), Azizullah Odho (Baldia), Sadaruddin Ujjan (Orangi), Ali Nawaz Baloch (Bin Qasim), Imtiaz Bhugio (Sadder) and Ahmed Bux Bhutto. Many of these individuals did not qualify for this post, as only a person of administrative cadre can be posted as ADO.
On the other hand, Najma Mukaddem (Shah Faisal), Ali Jan (Bin Qasim), Shahida Hussain (Baldia), Naheed Kausar (New Karachi), are deployed as ADO (Female) by the Elementary Education District Officer (Female) Farnaz Riaz. Riaz herself is a Subject Specialist, but interestingly enough, she does not have the authority to assign anybody to look after the post of ADO. However, the afore-mentioned female ADOs are working without any difficulties, and no departmental action has been taken against them.
Similarly, Zahida Bhugio (Gulshan), Humaria Noorlain (Korangi) and Mussarat Jabeen (Liaquatabad) are Subject Specialists but working as ADOs. Sonaber Gul Unarr (Lyari) and Shaista Shaikh (Jamshed Town) also belong to College Cadre, while Razia Sultana works as ADO Orangi, but is reportedly a close friend of Farnaz Riaz.
Several colleges and comprehensive schools failed to provide good results in the recent intermediate examinations, with one plausible explanation being the posting of subject specialists and college cadres at administrative posts. As a result, seats of specific courses continue to be vacant at these educational institutes.
When contacted Senior Education Minister Pir Mazhar-ul-Haq regarding the issue, he said that this has happened, as there was no policy or system to check it. "For the past decade, there was no policy and no promotions were made to fill the gap. As a result, favourites were placed on seats regardless of their ability for that post," he said.
As many as 3,000 educators, from primary school teachers to associate professors at colleges, have been promoted to fill the gap in the education system, he said, adding that now the education department has come up with an idea, which has the approval of the Sindh Chief Minister, and the department would soon advertise it.
Haq also said that management order is in process, and it would be implemented in the education system soon. "Different cadres would be introduced under this system, and teachers cannot transfer or switch to another one," he said. The management cadre will be uniform and teachers would select a cadre of their own choice, adding that once the policy is introduced in the education system, then this problem will cease to exist.
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Karachi, Sep 01: Despite tall claims made by the Sindh government and authorities at the Education department, practices of out-of-turn postings, detailments and hiring of non-technical staff at administrative post are still being carried out, it has been learnt.
Earlier this week, Education Executive District Officer (EDO) Muhammad Ibrahim Kumbhar issued a office order, number EDOE/Esst./CDGK/ (16994-98)/2009, according to which, Mazhar Jawaid, PET, BS-17, was allowed to work in the office of the Assistant District Officer, Education, Elementary (Male), Gulberg Town, till further orders.
Ironically, Jawaid, who is a physical trainer (PET), is posted at the office rather than a school, where his services would be put to better use.
The notification further said that Mazhar Jawaid, PET, BS-17, working in GBLSS Kamyab, Block 16, F. B. Area, against the post of Higher School Teacher is transferred and posted in GBSS, Allama Iqbal, Block 6, F. B. Area, Gulberg Town against Muhammad Saddiq, PET, BS-17. Furthermore, Saddiq was transferred and posted in GBSS, F. C. Area, Liaquatabad Town on administrative grounds till further orders.
In another case, Asadullah Bhutto, a Subject Specialist Cadre (BS-17), Government NJV Girls Higher Secondary School, Karachi was transferred and posted as Assistant District Officer (ADO), Education, (Male) Gulberg Town, Karachi and notification number NoSO(S-1)9-1/T&P/09 was issued to this effect. Despite the fact that the order was cancelled by the authorities, Bhutto somehow managed to get himself restored and became ADO Lyari.
Other subject specialist cadre (BS-17) working as ADOs at different towns include Amer Ali (New Karachi), Zahid Abbas (Gulshan), Bashir Ahmed Abbasi (Keamari), Muzaffar Ali Chana (Korangi), Chaman Lal (Landhi), Azizullah Odho (Baldia), Sadaruddin Ujjan (Orangi), Ali Nawaz Baloch (Bin Qasim), Imtiaz Bhugio (Sadder) and Ahmed Bux Bhutto. Many of these individuals did not qualify for this post, as only a person of administrative cadre can be posted as ADO.
On the other hand, Najma Mukaddem (Shah Faisal), Ali Jan (Bin Qasim), Shahida Hussain (Baldia), Naheed Kausar (New Karachi), are deployed as ADO (Female) by the Elementary Education District Officer (Female) Farnaz Riaz. Riaz herself is a Subject Specialist, but interestingly enough, she does not have the authority to assign anybody to look after the post of ADO. However, the afore-mentioned female ADOs are working without any difficulties, and no departmental action has been taken against them.
Similarly, Zahida Bhugio (Gulshan), Humaria Noorlain (Korangi) and Mussarat Jabeen (Liaquatabad) are Subject Specialists but working as ADOs. Sonaber Gul Unarr (Lyari) and Shaista Shaikh (Jamshed Town) also belong to College Cadre, while Razia Sultana works as ADO Orangi, but is reportedly a close friend of Farnaz Riaz.
Several colleges and comprehensive schools failed to provide good results in the recent intermediate examinations, with one plausible explanation being the posting of subject specialists and college cadres at administrative posts. As a result, seats of specific courses continue to be vacant at these educational institutes.
When contacted Senior Education Minister Pir Mazhar-ul-Haq regarding the issue, he said that this has happened, as there was no policy or system to check it. "For the past decade, there was no policy and no promotions were made to fill the gap. As a result, favourites were placed on seats regardless of their ability for that post," he said.
As many as 3,000 educators, from primary school teachers to associate professors at colleges, have been promoted to fill the gap in the education system, he said, adding that now the education department has come up with an idea, which has the approval of the Sindh Chief Minister, and the department would soon advertise it.
Haq also said that management order is in process, and it would be implemented in the education system soon. "Different cadres would be introduced under this system, and teachers cannot transfer or switch to another one," he said. The management cadre will be uniform and teachers would select a cadre of their own choice, adding that once the policy is introduced in the education system, then this problem will cease to exist.
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Swat students' conundrum
Swat, Sep 01: The board of intermediate and secondary education (BISE) Malakand covers the districts of Malakand, Dir Lower, Dir Upper, Bajaur Agency and Chitral. Thousands of students appeared in the FA/FSc exams conducted by the board in April-May 2009. However, due to the military operation in Malakand both Part-I and Part-II exams were postponed though one or two exams of both classes were left. The NWFP government then announced a one-year promotion for all matric and FA/FSc students of the Malakand board.
In July, the Malakand board announced the result of FSc Part-II though the result of FSc Part-I was not released. In late August, the board said that FSc Part-I students would have to appear in the exam in November. Thousands of students like me who took the FSc Part-I exam are in a fix as to what is our status now. If we take the exam in November, when will we attend classes for Part-II? Remember that colleges under the Malakand board close for two months in the winter.
With the Part-II exam in April 2010 does the board expect us to take two board exams in six months? Why should we be punished for something that is not of our making? The NWFP chief minister and education minister are both kindly requested to come to your rescue. -Saima Jan, Govt Girls Degree College Khar, Bajaur Agency (The news)
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BCom students for evening classes
Toba tek singh, Sep 01: Kamalia Government Commerce College students staged a protest demonstration on Monday over failure of the college management to start evening classes of BCom in the college.
They blocked traffic on Kamalia-Chichawatni Road for half an hour and raised slogans against the administration. Representatives of protesters said the chief minister had approved evening classes for the college but it was delayed without any reason. Dawn
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Lahore: Punjab University Examination Department has declared the results of MSc Space Science, Part-II, Annual Examination 2009, MSc Applied Geology, First Annual 2008 and MA Development Journalism, Part-II, Annual Examination 2009. Detailed results are also available at PU website www.pu.edu.pk. F.P. report
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Karachi: The Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science & Technology (FUUAST), Karachi Monday notified that the examination forms for B. Sc. (Hon) part-I, II & III and M. Sc. part-I and final could be obtained from September 1 to 15 from National Bank Urdu University branch and submitted at concerned department. The candidates who failed last year in B. Sc. (Hon) part-I and II and M. Sc. part-I and final have to submit examination forms separately for both years. The news
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Islamabad: 'Makers of Pakistani Literature' publication series is not only appreciated in the country but also abroad, said Fakhar Zaman, PAL chairman in a briefing on books on life and works of Ahmed Nadeem Qasmi, Habib Jalib and Iftikhar Arif.
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He said Dr Naheed Qasmi, Saeed Pervaiz and Abdul Aziz Sahir had compiled books on Ahmed Nadeem Qasmi, Habib Jalib and Iftikhar Arif respectively for PAL.
He said these three writers were considered popular figures in the country. He said Ahmed Nadeem Qasmi was known as epoch making writer. "As a writer, he had many aspects. All his life, he struggled against tyranny. He was not only a poet but also an epoch writer," he said.
Qasmi was an ideological writer who did not make ideology merely a slogan but also practiced it. He said Habib Jalib was a brave and resistant poet. His words were so powerful that they threaten tyranny and he wrote poetry in public style, which was very popular. Daily times
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Karachi: The Sindh government has announced that all educational institutions in the city will remain closed on Tuesday.
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Sindh Chief Secretary Fazal-ur-Rehman said that in view of the forecast for more rain, the government decided that all educational institutions - universities, colleges and government and private schools - would remain closed on Tuesday. Dawn
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It is unsettling that Pakistan's universities are once more emerging as hot spots of violence and confrontation. Last week proved to be a particularly bad one in that respect. On Aug 7, the Jeay Sindh Students Federation-A clashed with the Sindh People's Students Federation at the MUET campus (Jamshoro) resulting in the death of a JSSF leader and the suspension of exams and classes. Three days later, Punjab University became the scene of clashes between the Islami Jamiat Tulaba and the university staff on the issue of setting up admission stalls. There was a dispute between the two parties in both the cases. But more significant than that was the method adopted by the student leaders in addressing their differences. On neither ocassion was a serious effort made to resolve the dispute by talking it over and reaching a compromise. Worse still, the rival groups pulled out weapons and sticks and resorted to physical violence. In Sindh, disciplinary measures have now been taken to restore peace.
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There are several factors behind the violence. Students unions have still to be fully restored and various student organisations have not been allowed to function in a democratic and regulated framework where they could learn to operate with a sense of responsibility. Moreover, all the student bodies are closely linked with and influenced, even controlled, by political parties. Thus the students tend to be exploited by political parties seeking to expand their base in the student population. While all this is bad enough, the university administrations make matters worse by taking sides. Their failure to maintain their neutrality and adopt an even-handed approach encourages the side being favoured to become more aggressive. This only exacerbates the crisis.
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