Public education: PEF launches teacher certification programme

PEF MD says promotion of education govt’s chief priority

LAHORE: The Punjab Education Foundation (PEF) has launched a comprehensive teacher certification regime to promote quality teaching by making instructors cognisant of latest concepts in the sector.

Under the programme, teachers and heads of partner schools will be trained by the PEF’s Directorate of Staff Development from May 19 to June 4. During the period, as many as 131 training sessions will be organised across the Bahawalnagar, Chakwal, Jhang, Mianwali, Pakpattan and Rajanpur districts.

PEF MD Tariq Mahmood made the remarks while chairing a weekly meeting organised on Thursday at his office. Progress of various programmes conceived to help disadvantaged students acquire education was also reviewed on the occasion. Those present expressed satisfaction with the foundation’s efforts to ensure the provision of education to children from underprivileged families. They also noted that similar initiatives had been taken for children of brick kiln workers and differently-abled children to help them become contributing members of the society.  Those present also noted that the PEF had facilitated the establishment of private schools across remote areas with little or no other facilities.

They said the foundation had had an extremely positive impact on the society. Those present said it had been essaying a multi-faceted role when it came to developing the sector.

In view of its performance, they said, the PEF had been playing a proactive role in realising Parho Punjab Barho Punjab targets. Those present said this would help ensure 100 per cent enrolment across primary schools by 2018 province-wide.

Mahmood said promoting education was the foremost goal of the provincial government. He said the government was committed to promoting education as it facilitated national development.

Mahmood said the certification programme would acquaint teachers with contemporary developments in pertinent subjects in addition to reiterating the importance of quality education. This, he said, would help groom students and transform them into confident and progressive youngsters.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 20^th, 2016.