NA panel seeks details on efforts for uniform curriculum

Standing Committee for Education also demands details on madrasa reforms and out-of-school children

ISLAMABAD: National Assembly Standing Committee for Education has sought details for the uniform educational system and madrasa reforms while also demanding a detailed report on out-of-school children.

CDA officials briefed the committee that Federal Urdu University has managed to acquire 80 Kanal of land out of which 35 kanals are not their property. The varsity must pay Rs40 million to regularise the land; officials told the committee’s meeting chaired by Mian Najibuddin Awais.

The standing committee insisted that the university cannot make the entire payment for the land and as such CDA is requested to collect the amount in installments.

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CDA official while briefing the committee maintained that the university has illegally obtained the land and it would not form part of their legal property until payment of Rs40 million is made to the CDA. Out of 80 kanals, 35 kanals is not the property of the university, he maintained.

On committee’s objection the official said that, if they fail to pay the remaining amount, the audit-para will be registered. The committee insisted that although payment of land fees is necessary, the Federal Urdu University is incapable of paying the remaining sum in one-go. It requested CDA board for allowing them to clear the debt in installments. Awaisi said: “Our country has very few universities in the public sector. It is not personal.”

Member of Committee Nafisa Khattak demanded the details on funds donated for education to Pakistan by the wife of former President of USA, Barack Obama. “What happened to the funds donated by Michele Obama for the education of girls in Pakistan,” she asked.

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Education Secretary Wajiha Akram said: “We are making progress on madrasa reforms, equality of educational system as well as out of school-students.”

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Madrasa reforms and equality of the educational system as well as out of school-students we are still in progress. She said. The committee sought details in the next session.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 4^th, 2019.