NA panel concerned over nursing training

ISLAMABAD:

The National Assembly Standing Committee on Education on Monday raised concerns over the transparency of a government-funded nursing training programme, questioned the financial and administrative crisis at the Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science and Technology (FUUAST), and reviewed the regulatory framework governing the Cambridge qualifications in Pakistan.

The committee, which met at Parliament House with acting chairman Mahtab Akbar Rashdi in the chair, sought a detailed explanation from the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) over the selection of the International Centre for Skills (ICS) as the implementing partner for the NCLEX Nursing Training Programme.

The committee was informed that the initiative is designed to prepare Pakistani registered nurses for international licences and employment. However, members expressed concern that the selection of 500 trainees had not been publicly advertised and that candidates were nominated by the Pakistan Nursing and Midwifery Council (PNMC).

Noting that around Rs300,000 is being spent on each trainee from the public exchequer, the committee directed NAVTTC to submit comprehensive details on the selection of the implementing partner, nomination criteria and the programme's implementation framework.

The committee also voiced serious concern over persistent governance, financial and administrative problems at FUUAST. Members were informed that financial constraints had delayed the payment of salaries and pensions to faculty members, employees and retired staff, creating administrative difficulties and employee unrest.

Criticising the university administration for failing to resolve the issues, the committee stressed that the vice chancellor should actively engage the relevant authorities to secure financial support.

With input from APP