Character education, free meals for students

Education secretary briefs Senate lawmakers on new initiatives and policy reforms

ISLAMABAD:

Federal Education Secretary Mohiuddin Wani has informed the Senate Standing Committee on Education that a character education policy has been formulated. Additionally, 11,000 children in Islamabad schools have received free meals and glasses for vision deficiencies. The initiatives also include the establishment of early childhood education centres, the introduction of evening classes in overcrowded institutions, and the abolition of the B-form requirement for new admissions.

The Senate Standing Committee on Education meeting was chaired by Senator Bushra Anjum Butt. When inquired by the chairperson about the appointments of the heads of institutions under the Ministry of Education, Education Minister Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui stated that the issues have been exacerbated by the extension of the caretaker government.

Secretary Wani explained that the authority for permanent appointments of heads of institutions resides with the Prime Minister’s Office. Temporary appointments have been made in the National Book Foundation (NBF) and the Federal Board for two months. Over the past month, shortlisting for the heads of several institutions has been completed, and permanent appointments are expected to be made within the next month.

In a briefing on the Ministry of Education’s actions over the last 100 days, Wani highlighted that malnutrition significantly impacts education. He noted that 18,000 children in Gilgit-Baltistan and 11,000 children in Balochistan are receiving food support. Glasses have been provided to those with vision impairments. An early childhood education centre has been inaugurated, with plans to build 100 more in the coming month. Evening classes have commenced in 51 overcrowded schools. The B-form requirement for school admissions has been abolished, benefiting many children from other provinces who were previously unable to enrol.

The character education policy will include a separate 36-week theme, involving parents in the process. HEC Chairman Dr Mukhtar emphasised that issues of quality and governance are currently more pressing than funding.