Educational reforms: Examination system is being revamped, says Mashhood

‘30,000 educators are being recruited to redress teaching staff shortage’.

FAISALABAD:

“The government is introducing advanced technology to strengthen the examination system in the province,” Minister for Education and Youth Affairs Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan said on Friday.

He was talking to the media during a visit to inspect matriculation examination centres set up by the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE) in Faisalabad.

Khan said educational reforms were being considered to revamp the Punjab Examination Commission. “The reforms will raise the performance of the Education Department,” he said.

He said Rs7.50 billion had been allocated for providing the missing facilities in the government schools in the province.

“As many as 30,000 educators are being recruited this year to redress the shortage of teaching staff... the teachers are being comprehensively trained for this.”

Khan said exceptional students were being encouraged by the chief minister and provided scholarships under the Punjab Education Endowment Fund.

The minister said opportunities were being provided to the youth for taking part in healthy activities. “More than 4.2 million youngsters participated in the Youth Festival.”

Khan said the government believed in taking capacity building measures for the youth. “The country cannot progress without educated and skilled youth.”

He said the provincial government deserved credit for ending the cheating mafia.

“The students are getting equal opportunities through a merit-based and transparent examination system.

Earlier, the minister visited Government Municipal Degree College, Government MC Girls Higher Secondary School and Government AV Modern College, Peoples Colony, to observe the process of matric examinations.

Khan reviewed the record of question papers and directed the staff to ensure a transparent and smooth conduct of examinations.

The minister also met Government College University, Faisalabad (GCUF) Vice Chancellor Zakir Hussain and praised the university’s performance.

The education minister also presided over a meeting at Government AV Modern College, Peoples Colony. Member of Provincial Assembly Ejaz Ahmad, Board of Education Chairman Mahr Ghulam Muhammad Jaghar and Colleges Director Rana Munawar were also present on the occasion.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 15^th, 2014.