Reforming education: Evening shift students to be absorbed into 41 FG schools

CADD plans a phased abolishment on committees’ recommendations.

ISLAMABAD:

After the decision to abolish the evening shifts in the model colleges, the students and teachers are unsure of their future.

The students now we know will be accommodated in the federal government (FG) schools and colleges. However the fate of the teachers and allied staff is yet unclear.

All the stakeholders have agreed that the students repatriated from evening shifts of 20 Model colleges and schools would be accommodated in 41 FG schools and colleges.

The decision was made on Friday at a meeting chaired by the Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD) Joint Secretary Rafique Tahir.

The meeting was also attended by Federal Directorate of Education Director General, teachers of model and FG colleges and schools and area education officers.

The decision has been made in light of recommendations made by committees constituted in October last by CADD to bring reforms in the education system.

CADD is planning a phased abolishment of evening shifts.

Currently, educational institutions are working under two set ups-Islamabad Model Colleges (IMCs) and the FG Schools and Colleges, with 20 model colleges and 402 FG colleges and schools.

Central Academic Staff Association President Rashid Khan said that all the stakeholders agreed to have the students enrolled at 41 FG schools where students’ strength was comparatively low, but how teachers cope with the additional load remains to be seen.

FG Colleges Union President Azhar Awan expressed reservation over the fate of staff of these schools.

Tahir, who is also a spokesperson for CADD, said that the issue would be resolved soon.

It was also agreed that the “new model schools” would be controlled by the management of the model colleges.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 1^st, 2014.