Code of conduct: Programme launched to reform education in govt schools

Corporal punishment has been banned, use of mobile phones prohibited during school hours

MANSEHRA: A programme has been launched to improve the standard of education and alter the code of conduct at government schools in Mansehra.

The initiative, titled Mansehra Educational Vision (MEV), was launched at District Council Hall on Saturday.

Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Sardar Muhammad Yousaf attended the ceremony. MPAs from Mansehra, local government representatives and members of various political parties were also present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, Mansehra district nazim Sardar Said Ghulam shared the objectives of MEV and the present state of affairs of government schools.

He presented 12 recommendations that had been finalised by a 30-member educational forum and subsequently included in the programme.

New regime

MEV will come into force from Monday. As per the initiative, corporal punishment will be prohibited. Teachers and students will not be allowed to use mobile phones during school hours.

Students of middle and high schools will be expected to abide by a dress code. Middle school students will be expected to wear sky-blue shirts and grey trousers. Meanwhile, students of higher secondary schools will be expected to wear white shalwar qameez.

In addition, four exams will be held in a year. Students will be expected to take compulsory tests every month.

Under MEV, practical steps will be taken to put an end to cheating during exams. Parents of those students who remain absent for six consecutive days would be called to schools. As per the policy, only those students who earn 33% in their annual exams would be promoted to the next class.

In addition, all government schools will be expected to send one or more student from class six for the Educational Testing and Evaluation Agency entry test.

While speaking on the occasion, Yousaf said legislation has been introduced to make religious studies a compulsory subject across the country. Recommendations have been sent to the relevant authorities of all four provinces to implement this policy.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 22^nd, 2016.