PESHAWAR, Shortage of teachers has closed 367 primary schools in the Frontier province, depriving over 36,700 children of education.
Sources said more than 30 primary schools had been closed in the provincial capital alone. Schools were being closed for the last few years because of non-availability of teachers. That not only put the future of students at stake but also set decay in the school buildings for lack of repairs.
The miseries of students have increased manifold since militants started blowing and torching educational institutions in parts of Frontier province, already short of primary schools. The closure of such a large number of schools owing to non-availability of teachers has alarmingly increased the drop out rate.
“Most of the closed schools are located in the far-off areas. Teachers from these schools have been transferred to cities purely on political grounds,” sources said. They added that teachers serving in cities were getting different allowances.
The Elementary and Secondary Education department had appointed teachers in all the closed schools, which remained functional for many years after their establishment. But almost all of these teachers managed to get themselves transferred to other schools of their choices, mostly in urban areas, leaving 367 schools closed.
The parents couldn’t admit their children to the schools located at a long distance from their respective villages due to security reasons, an educationist, wishing not to be named, said. He linked the growing rate of child labour with the non-availability of teachers and lack of primary schools in the province.
The director Education Sector Reforms Unit, Raja Saad Khan, told Dawn that teachers didn’t to be posted in far-flung areas.The phenomenon had aggravated the situation, he added.
According to him teachers don’t want to perform duty at remote areas owing to security reasons and non-viability of transport. The government was working on various options to ensure availability of teachers in the closed schools across the province, he said. Mr Khan said that additional teachers serving in the schools located in city areas would be transferred to closed schools in rural areas on priority basis.
“We are also recruiting teachers on emergency ground in different districts to overcome the shortage of teachers,” he added.The third option was to authorise the Parent Teacher Council at school levels to appoint teachers in the closed schools on fixed salaries, he said.
The government was also in contact with the NGOs to help it in providing teachers in the far-off areas, he said. He hoped that within one year all the closed schools would be made functional.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Political pressure impeding check on cheating in exams
Karachi, Political compulsions not only stymie improvement to the affairs of the education department, but also impede efforts to eliminate the use of unfair means during examinations, said Education Minister Pir Mazharul Haq on Thursday during the Sindh Assembly session. |
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SSC exams set to begin today; outstanding issues remain unresolved
Karachi, Secondary School Certificate (SSC) Annual Examinations-2010 are set to begin on Friday (today), with the General Sciences assessment being the first evaluation to take place.
Despite the postponement of SSC exams, a number of contentious issues remain unresolved, sources told The News. The issuance of admit cards, re-allotment of examination centres as well as the choice of invigilators in various vigilance teams may blight aspirations for a transparent exam process this year as well, sources said.
On Wednesday, Board of Secondary Education, Karachi (BSEK) officials had told media personnel that exam forms of over 1,000 more students had been accepted by the Board. This number turned out to be an understated estimation, as about 2,000 admit cards were issued on Thursday.
“We could not count the actual quantity of forms received yesterday (Wednesday). When we started tabulation of these forms, we realised that the number of forms was in excess of 1,500, and went up to about 2,000,” Board officials told The News.
Sources however maintained that Board officials continued to accept exam forms on Thursday. Due formalities were completed the same day, and cards handed back as soon as possible. A Board official, when contacted around 8pm, said that only a few admit cards had to be collected by the candidates/schools, while the rest had already been handed out.
Interestingly, while the governor’s intervention on Tuesday was meant only for regular candidates of private and some government schools, the Board had barred private candidates on Wednesday from applying for admit cards. Sources told The News that many private candidates had submitted their forms as regular students registered in public and private sector schools, albeit with the help of the “mafia.”
The matter of issuance of admit cards is only half the story, sources said, claiming that the involvement of junior teachers as members of vigilance and super vigilance teams has irked senior teachers and other officers of the educational department.
Education Executive District Officer (EDO) Muhammad Ibrahim Kumbhar had sent suggested names of invigilators from his department to the BSEK, sources said, claiming that this list contains a number of controversial figures.
Sources cited the name of a man named Abdul Latif Mughal, who is simply a headmaster, but claims to be Education Deputy District Officer (Secondary and Higher Secondary, Male). Mughal had been removed as the assistant district officer (ADO) of Jamshed Town on charges of corruption, but he was nominated as a member of super vigilance team for this year’s exams.
Moreover, while 13 subject specialists have been assigned the responsibility for monitoring exam procedures across the city, head masters of various private schools are also entitled to act as members of vigilance teams.
Several of these principals either own or run these schools, sources said. This in turn breeds apprehensions over the transparency of the exams conducted, especially given the conflict of interest, sources said.
Meanwhile, a three-member committee has been constituted by BSEK Chairman Intizar Hussain Zaidi to probe the reasons for the delay in issuance of admit cards, a statement released by the BSEK on Thursday read. The committee, formed on the directives of the Sindh governor, will submit its recommendations by April 6, 2010 to the BSEK chairman.
Despite the postponement of SSC exams, a number of contentious issues remain unresolved, sources told The News. The issuance of admit cards, re-allotment of examination centres as well as the choice of invigilators in various vigilance teams may blight aspirations for a transparent exam process this year as well, sources said.
On Wednesday, Board of Secondary Education, Karachi (BSEK) officials had told media personnel that exam forms of over 1,000 more students had been accepted by the Board. This number turned out to be an understated estimation, as about 2,000 admit cards were issued on Thursday.
“We could not count the actual quantity of forms received yesterday (Wednesday). When we started tabulation of these forms, we realised that the number of forms was in excess of 1,500, and went up to about 2,000,” Board officials told The News.
Sources however maintained that Board officials continued to accept exam forms on Thursday. Due formalities were completed the same day, and cards handed back as soon as possible. A Board official, when contacted around 8pm, said that only a few admit cards had to be collected by the candidates/schools, while the rest had already been handed out.
Interestingly, while the governor’s intervention on Tuesday was meant only for regular candidates of private and some government schools, the Board had barred private candidates on Wednesday from applying for admit cards. Sources told The News that many private candidates had submitted their forms as regular students registered in public and private sector schools, albeit with the help of the “mafia.”
The matter of issuance of admit cards is only half the story, sources said, claiming that the involvement of junior teachers as members of vigilance and super vigilance teams has irked senior teachers and other officers of the educational department.
Education Executive District Officer (EDO) Muhammad Ibrahim Kumbhar had sent suggested names of invigilators from his department to the BSEK, sources said, claiming that this list contains a number of controversial figures.
Sources cited the name of a man named Abdul Latif Mughal, who is simply a headmaster, but claims to be Education Deputy District Officer (Secondary and Higher Secondary, Male). Mughal had been removed as the assistant district officer (ADO) of Jamshed Town on charges of corruption, but he was nominated as a member of super vigilance team for this year’s exams.
Moreover, while 13 subject specialists have been assigned the responsibility for monitoring exam procedures across the city, head masters of various private schools are also entitled to act as members of vigilance teams.
Several of these principals either own or run these schools, sources said. This in turn breeds apprehensions over the transparency of the exams conducted, especially given the conflict of interest, sources said.
Meanwhile, a three-member committee has been constituted by BSEK Chairman Intizar Hussain Zaidi to probe the reasons for the delay in issuance of admit cards, a statement released by the BSEK on Thursday read. The committee, formed on the directives of the Sindh governor, will submit its recommendations by April 6, 2010 to the BSEK chairman.
Governor Punjab will be chief guest at Punjab University 118th Convocation on March 27
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| Lahore, Punjab University Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Mujahid Kamran presided over a meeting of the Convocation Committee for 118 th Convocation 2010 in New Campus here on Wednesday. In addition to Pro Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Jamil Anwar Ch., Registrar Prof Dr Muhammad Naeem Khan and Controller Prof Dr Zahid Karim Khan, Conveners of Reception, Stage, Hall, Address, Parking and Transport Committees were also present. Governor Punjab/Chancellor Punjab University Mr. Salman Taseer will be the chief guest on the occasion. Pro Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Jamil Anwar Ch gave a comprehensive presentation on the uptodate progress made by respective conveners of committees with regard to the convocation arrangements. Expressing his satisfaction over the arrangements, Dr Mujahid Kamran said that the student community would exhibit exemplary discipline and decorum during the convocation in keeping with the glorious traditions of their alma mater. It was also decided that the participating students will not be allowed to take mobile phones in the hall. The full dress rehearsal of 118 th convocation will be held on Friday, March 26 in the Faisal Auditorium where degrees will be awarded to 139 PhD scholars, 297 MPhil students, 310 Master and 138 Undergraduate students while 142 gold medals would be awarded to top position holders. All the students who have been sent intimation letters and will get degrees as well as medals in the convocation will attend the rehearsal. It may be recalled that as many as 125 scholars were awarded PhD degrees in the year 2009. |
GCU holds paintings exhibition
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| Girl looks at paintings |
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| Lahore, The Government College University Fine Arts Department Thursday held a painting exhibition of a group of young talented painters; Amna, Khalid, Qurat-ul-Ain, Naveed and Sadaf. As many as 23 art pieces are put on display at the one-week exhibition opened by National College of Arts Principle Professor Naazish Ata Ullah. The artists use oil paint, acrylic, etching and photography as a medium to express emotions and thoughts. Talking about her expressionist paintings, Amna said that she had tried to express depression and sorrow through dark colours. “Red, Brown and Black express the sadness of subjects,” she added. Khalid put on display 10 paintings of Landscapes of rural areas. Talking to media, Sadaf said that she had used etching, aquatint, dry paint and photography as mediums to produce impressions of confusion and irregularities. Poles and wires are seemed intermingled in her paintings. However, Professor Naazish Ata Ullah says, “Vision can travel on these lines.” Artists Qurat-ul-Ain and Naveed worked on surrealistic subjects and expressed their thought in vibrant colours. Speaking on the occasion, Naazish Ata Ullah appreciated the work of young talented painters. |
Societal frustration triggering violent reactions
Karachi, Corruption in general and frustration in particular are the main causes that trigger a violent reaction from people, said Dr Murad Moosa, Chair Department of Psychiatry Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), in a symposium held on Friday on Violence in Health Care Settings.
Quoting a World Bank report of 2004, Dr Moosa said that corruption is the single most cause deterring social and economic development of the country. “That’s why, one third of our population is below the poverty line, which in turn is driving people to commit crimes and becoming more violent.”
Giving the example of a bus driver, he said that living in Karachi, this man broke every law in the book and did whatever he felt like doing but once he went to Dubai after getting a job as a taxi driver, this man’s behavior changed completely. “It was the same man following every rule and talking politely, because he knew that if he did something wrong, he will be punished. Unfortunately, in our country this fear of law has gone out the window,” said Dr Moosa.
Hina Jillani, a lawyer and the Director of AGHS Legal Aid Cell, said: “For such a long time, the judiciary has been fighting for independence and freedom but without understanding the meaning of independence at all. The role of the judiciary is to exercise its wisdom through well articulated laws as the penalty has to be loud and clear to be followed.”
Jillani said that there is very little in the law to protect the victim. “If a person comes to me for help, I have to use whatever I have at hand. I can not ask people to wait for a social reform, so that their issues are addressed.” She said that most of the times, doctors put up with all the insults and abuses because of the ethical dilemmas that they face about how to refuse a patient or discharge them if the attendants misbehave with them. “The pendulum has swung, doctors that were considered Gods are now being abused and threatened, so the need is to reestablish the credibility of the doctors and take into account the views from the other side (patients) as well,” said Advocate Jillani. Giving an example of the recent incident of local shop owners going on a rampage in Islamabad, Jillani said that people are resorting to violence because it is generally believed that it is the easiest way of getting a reaction from the state and the authorities.
Violence in hospitals has increased in Karachi, with health workers exposed to assault, physical and verbal threats and hospital property open to vandalism. According to a survey of over 380 doctors and emergency room staff at four tertiary care hospitals in Karachi, over 70 per cent had been verbally abused and 20 per cent physically assaulted last year.
Dr Seemin Jamali of Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center (JPMC), who spoke about the blast at JPMC and demanded that the encroachments inside the hospital premises be removed so that the hospital could have a proper boundary wall.
The symposium will be followed by a workshop today (March 27) to create a network of key stakeholders who can continue to work on this issue.
Quoting a World Bank report of 2004, Dr Moosa said that corruption is the single most cause deterring social and economic development of the country. “That’s why, one third of our population is below the poverty line, which in turn is driving people to commit crimes and becoming more violent.”
Giving the example of a bus driver, he said that living in Karachi, this man broke every law in the book and did whatever he felt like doing but once he went to Dubai after getting a job as a taxi driver, this man’s behavior changed completely. “It was the same man following every rule and talking politely, because he knew that if he did something wrong, he will be punished. Unfortunately, in our country this fear of law has gone out the window,” said Dr Moosa.
Hina Jillani, a lawyer and the Director of AGHS Legal Aid Cell, said: “For such a long time, the judiciary has been fighting for independence and freedom but without understanding the meaning of independence at all. The role of the judiciary is to exercise its wisdom through well articulated laws as the penalty has to be loud and clear to be followed.”
Jillani said that there is very little in the law to protect the victim. “If a person comes to me for help, I have to use whatever I have at hand. I can not ask people to wait for a social reform, so that their issues are addressed.” She said that most of the times, doctors put up with all the insults and abuses because of the ethical dilemmas that they face about how to refuse a patient or discharge them if the attendants misbehave with them. “The pendulum has swung, doctors that were considered Gods are now being abused and threatened, so the need is to reestablish the credibility of the doctors and take into account the views from the other side (patients) as well,” said Advocate Jillani. Giving an example of the recent incident of local shop owners going on a rampage in Islamabad, Jillani said that people are resorting to violence because it is generally believed that it is the easiest way of getting a reaction from the state and the authorities.
Violence in hospitals has increased in Karachi, with health workers exposed to assault, physical and verbal threats and hospital property open to vandalism. According to a survey of over 380 doctors and emergency room staff at four tertiary care hospitals in Karachi, over 70 per cent had been verbally abused and 20 per cent physically assaulted last year.
Dr Seemin Jamali of Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center (JPMC), who spoke about the blast at JPMC and demanded that the encroachments inside the hospital premises be removed so that the hospital could have a proper boundary wall.
The symposium will be followed by a workshop today (March 27) to create a network of key stakeholders who can continue to work on this issue.
Islamic Education VS Modern Education
Now-a-days there are a lot of people who talk about the modern and Islamic Education. And it really surprises me as I don’t believe there is any difference in Islamic and modern Education. Look Education is Education.
Education means to know about something. The modern science is being defined as “system of knowledge gained by systematic research and organized into general laws”.
The Humans are asked, on various occasions in the Quran, to research, to make some thorough investigations about the universe and to find the hidden truth in the things around us. The ALLAH ALMIGHTY has invited us to look around and observe the things in order to solidify our belief in HIM. We believe in ALLAH but it will solidify our belief in HIM even more.
Now can anybody let me know where the difference is? There is no difference as we are welcomed to observe, to feel and to understand the things to come closer to our CREATOR. It means that we are entitled to learn science as science is the systematic way to observing a fact or finding a fact for which we are asked to.
Now from where does this concept of “Islamic Education” and “Modern Education” come? In fact we have restricted ourselves to some part of Islam and preaching only that part is given the name “Islamic Education”. Will anybody let me know what Islam really is? Islam is the complete code of life. There are solutions to all kind of problems a human being can face in his lifetime. There is economic system, there is science, there is political system, there is educational system and all other things a man can ask for, in Islam.
Now-a-days whenever we discuss the politics we keep Islam aside. Is it right? Of course not! The Quran says:
Mafhoom: Indeed The Messenger of ALLAH is the best example for you.
And we find The Messenger of ALLAH, Hazrath MUHAMMAD (P.B.U.H) making the policies in the state of MADINA. Now what is this? Does it not prove that politics is a part of Islam?
The economic policies of Hazrath Umer Farooq (The second Caliph) amazed the European economists. Is it not Islam?
In gazwa-e-Badr some of the enemies were captured and those, who were educated among them, were asked to teach the Muslims. Can anybody tell me what they taught to the Muslims, Islamic Virtues? What do you think?
May ALLAH guide us towards the right way and help us in our life.
Education means to know about something. The modern science is being defined as “system of knowledge gained by systematic research and organized into general laws”.
The Humans are asked, on various occasions in the Quran, to research, to make some thorough investigations about the universe and to find the hidden truth in the things around us. The ALLAH ALMIGHTY has invited us to look around and observe the things in order to solidify our belief in HIM. We believe in ALLAH but it will solidify our belief in HIM even more.
Now can anybody let me know where the difference is? There is no difference as we are welcomed to observe, to feel and to understand the things to come closer to our CREATOR. It means that we are entitled to learn science as science is the systematic way to observing a fact or finding a fact for which we are asked to.
Now from where does this concept of “Islamic Education” and “Modern Education” come? In fact we have restricted ourselves to some part of Islam and preaching only that part is given the name “Islamic Education”. Will anybody let me know what Islam really is? Islam is the complete code of life. There are solutions to all kind of problems a human being can face in his lifetime. There is economic system, there is science, there is political system, there is educational system and all other things a man can ask for, in Islam.
Now-a-days whenever we discuss the politics we keep Islam aside. Is it right? Of course not! The Quran says:
Mafhoom: Indeed The Messenger of ALLAH is the best example for you.
And we find The Messenger of ALLAH, Hazrath MUHAMMAD (P.B.U.H) making the policies in the state of MADINA. Now what is this? Does it not prove that politics is a part of Islam?
The economic policies of Hazrath Umer Farooq (The second Caliph) amazed the European economists. Is it not Islam?
In gazwa-e-Badr some of the enemies were captured and those, who were educated among them, were asked to teach the Muslims. Can anybody tell me what they taught to the Muslims, Islamic Virtues? What do you think?
May ALLAH guide us towards the right way and help us in our life.
Language for the sake of language
Language is a systematic mean of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional symbols. It is a form of expression or mode of interaction between humans. It helps them to share their views ,ideas, feelings, emotions desires, interests, hatred, anger everything one need to communicate to other person.
Every nation is known by its language and every proud nation preserves its rich cultural heritage in the form of its language. In fact culture and language has a very strong relationship. Language always takes its roots from the culture of its speakers. If a nation is highly sophisticated, elegant and respectful, having lots of historical poetic dignities the language representing such a nation would be full of flowery and eloquent words. Language also depicts the ways of living and the degree of interaction among people, for example, members of a Pakistani nation enjoy entangled family relationships so there are lots of words in Urdu language representing such relations but this is not the case with English language where only two words are used for all maternal and paternal siblings i.e., Uncle and aunty. Moreover Pragmatics and Jargons of a language are always characteristics of a particular culture.
So we can say preserving a language means preserving a substantial part of a nation’s cultural heritage as all the strong nations of the world do. They preserve their language love it and pride it. All the rich languages are highly esteemed by their speakers but unfortunately this is not the case with Urdu language which itself is becoming stranger in its own land.
Today in a country where Urdu language had been ranked by its speakers as the national language at its independence, the language is becoming vulnerable to its own speakers who are themselves losing it and deteriorating it and the major cause is influence of a foreign language…The English language.
With each passing day in Pakistan English is becoming more and more popular taking the shape of a status symbol, a symbol of education, modernism and class, ranked high above than a mere mode of communication. Somehow almost every person in our country is getting highly attracted towards this language. No doubt in this globalized world importance of English as a mode of international business communication is inevitable and to keep ourselves into the race we need to have a grasp at this language but the dilemma is we are doing so at the cost of our own language.
Here we cannot blame a particular person or a class of persons the responsibility rests on every individual of our society, including parents of this nation who are trying to pour English in the minds of their children as their mother language, the schools where a student is not allowed to speak a word of Urdu, the offices where a person cannot pass an interview without impressing the interviewer with a heavy vocabulary of English language.
Recommendations:
To preserve our national language we need some serious initiatives. Some of them can be:
- Promotion and rehabilitation of Urdu Medium schools so that parents who want to send their children to Urdu medium government schools will not hesitate in doing so.
- Campaigns for the development of Urdu language should be started both through print and television media.
- Schools and colleges should also stress on the development of Urdu language by arranging lectures and workshops.
- Conferences and other ceremonies should be held to give tribute to Urdu poets and writers.
- Urdu development societies should be established to promote Urdu language.
- Substantial funds should be allocated for the establishment of Urdu.
Conclusion:
The aim of all this discussion is not to it hit English language. It is acceptable as far as it is learnt for the purpose of communication but the time our own language comes at stake, efforts are required to preserve our greatest cultural heritage.
Post Graduate Medical Education in USA
After finishing my medical degree (MBBS). I was as naive as anybody else in Pakistan. I had no clue how and where to apply for further higher medical training.
Usually people from developing countries have the following options:
- USA
- UK
- Ireland
- Australia
- New Zealand
- Other European countries
- Canada
A lot of people start the house job and then keep thinking about it and start getting the exams for foreign medical training. For training in USA, the house job is not a requirement. but I think it is a good idea to do house job before leaving for any country. I know right now the medical colleges in Pakistan are very well organized and medical students have knowledge and idea to where they want to go and pursue higher education and training. I want to help Medical Graduates,who plan to go to USA for USMLE (US medical licensing exam), clinical skills exam, and the residency training. I got my post graduate medical training in USA and I think there are certain things, which, give you an edge and increase your chances to get residency training in USA.
US medical Licensure system, is a series of 3 exams step-1 step-2 (Computer) and clinical skills (CS).
USMLE step 1 and 2 can be taken anywhere in the world in designated computer centers. The clinical skills part of USMLE step-2 can only be taken in USA. It is now conducted in 12 cities in USA.
USMLE step-3, is the last part of series which lead you to US medical licensure (some states require you to finish one year residency in US before you take Step-3 exam some states don’t require that). this exam can only be taken in USA. If an medical graduate, passes step-1 and step-2 (CK and CS), TOEFL (English language exam), he/she is eligible for applying to a residency training program in USA.
I plan to write a series of article, which will include further details. Keep reading my articles.
SSC exams begin | Question papers reach late at some centres
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| Students appearing in SSC exams in the Government Girl School |
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| Karachi, The Board of Secondary Education Karachi (BSEK) on Friday failed to deliver on time the question papers for the Secondary School Certificate (SSC), General Group, annual examination that commenced after a two-day delay at various centres, causing extreme inconvenience and anxiety to the candidates. |
Societal frustration triggering violent reactions
Karachi, Corruption in general and frustration in particular are the main causes that trigger a violent reaction from people, said Dr Murad Moosa, Chair Department of Psychiatry Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), in a symposium held on Friday on Violence in Health Care Settings.
Quoting a World Bank report of 2004, Dr Moosa said that corruption is the single most cause deterring social and economic development of the country. “That’s why, one third of our population is below the poverty line, which in turn is driving people to commit crimes and becoming more violent.”
Giving the example of a bus driver, he said that living in Karachi, this man broke every law in the book and did whatever he felt like doing but once he went to Dubai after getting a job as a taxi driver, this man’s behavior changed completely. “It was the same man following every rule and talking politely, because he knew that if he did something wrong, he will be punished. Unfortunately, in our country this fear of law has gone out the window,” said Dr Moosa.
Hina Jillani, a lawyer and the Director of AGHS Legal Aid Cell, said: “For such a long time, the judiciary has been fighting for independence and freedom but without understanding the meaning of independence at all. The role of the judiciary is to exercise its wisdom through well articulated laws as the penalty has to be loud and clear to be followed.”
Jillani said that there is very little in the law to protect the victim. “If a person comes to me for help, I have to use whatever I have at hand. I can not ask people to wait for a social reform, so that their issues are addressed.” She said that most of the times, doctors put up with all the insults and abuses because of the ethical dilemmas that they face about how to refuse a patient or discharge them if the attendants misbehave with them. “The pendulum has swung, doctors that were considered Gods are now being abused and threatened, so the need is to reestablish the credibility of the doctors and take into account the views from the other side (patients) as well,” said Advocate Jillani. Giving an example of the recent incident of local shop owners going on a rampage in Islamabad, Jillani said that people are resorting to violence because it is generally believed that it is the easiest way of getting a reaction from the state and the authorities.
Violence in hospitals has increased in Karachi, with health workers exposed to assault, physical and verbal threats and hospital property open to vandalism. According to a survey of over 380 doctors and emergency room staff at four tertiary care hospitals in Karachi, over 70 per cent had been verbally abused and 20 per cent physically assaulted last year.
Dr Seemin Jamali of Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center (JPMC), who spoke about the blast at JPMC and demanded that the encroachments inside the hospital premises be removed so that the hospital could have a proper boundary wall.
The symposium will be followed by a workshop today (March 27) to create a network of key stakeholders who can continue to work on this issue.
Quoting a World Bank report of 2004, Dr Moosa said that corruption is the single most cause deterring social and economic development of the country. “That’s why, one third of our population is below the poverty line, which in turn is driving people to commit crimes and becoming more violent.”
Giving the example of a bus driver, he said that living in Karachi, this man broke every law in the book and did whatever he felt like doing but once he went to Dubai after getting a job as a taxi driver, this man’s behavior changed completely. “It was the same man following every rule and talking politely, because he knew that if he did something wrong, he will be punished. Unfortunately, in our country this fear of law has gone out the window,” said Dr Moosa.
Hina Jillani, a lawyer and the Director of AGHS Legal Aid Cell, said: “For such a long time, the judiciary has been fighting for independence and freedom but without understanding the meaning of independence at all. The role of the judiciary is to exercise its wisdom through well articulated laws as the penalty has to be loud and clear to be followed.”
Jillani said that there is very little in the law to protect the victim. “If a person comes to me for help, I have to use whatever I have at hand. I can not ask people to wait for a social reform, so that their issues are addressed.” She said that most of the times, doctors put up with all the insults and abuses because of the ethical dilemmas that they face about how to refuse a patient or discharge them if the attendants misbehave with them. “The pendulum has swung, doctors that were considered Gods are now being abused and threatened, so the need is to reestablish the credibility of the doctors and take into account the views from the other side (patients) as well,” said Advocate Jillani. Giving an example of the recent incident of local shop owners going on a rampage in Islamabad, Jillani said that people are resorting to violence because it is generally believed that it is the easiest way of getting a reaction from the state and the authorities.
Violence in hospitals has increased in Karachi, with health workers exposed to assault, physical and verbal threats and hospital property open to vandalism. According to a survey of over 380 doctors and emergency room staff at four tertiary care hospitals in Karachi, over 70 per cent had been verbally abused and 20 per cent physically assaulted last year.
Dr Seemin Jamali of Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center (JPMC), who spoke about the blast at JPMC and demanded that the encroachments inside the hospital premises be removed so that the hospital could have a proper boundary wall.
The symposium will be followed by a workshop today (March 27) to create a network of key stakeholders who can continue to work on this issue.
Medical students move court against excessive fee
KARACHI, The Sindh High Court on Friday put the Sindh advocate-general and the education secretary and the Peoples’ Medical College (Nawabshah) vice-chancellor on notice in a petition challenging the charging of excessive fee from local students.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Sarmad Jalal Osmany and Justice Zahid Hamid directed the respondents to file their comments on the next hearing, and put off the matter to a date in office.
Shama Zehra Naqvi and Urooj Memon, students of the college, submitted in the court that they were given admission on their request under the self-financing scheme on the seats reserved for foreign students which mostly remained vacant.
They informed the court that the tuition fee for local students under this scheme was Rs250,000 and for foreign student $7,000. However, the petitioners stated, the college administration charged the fee prescribed for foreign students when they qualified for the MBBS second year in 2010.
They prayed to the court to order the college administration to charge the fee prescribed for local students.
11 Pakistani graduates get MEXT Scholarship
ISLAMABAD, Aiming to provide students an opportunity to pursue higher studies in their respective fields of study in Japanese universities, the government of Japan on Friday awarded MEXT Research Scholarships for year 2010 to the 11 postgraduate students of Pakistan.
This fully funded Japanese scholarships programme is designed to contribute to long-term development needs of Pakistan for promoting good governance, economic growth and human development.
The scholarship grantees have been selected by the Embassy of Japan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan (MEXT) in collaboration with the MEXT Alumni Association of Pakistan (MAAP).
Chihiro Atsumi, the ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, hosted a reception at his official residence in the honour of the scholarship grantees.
The alumni of this scholarship programme were also invited to the reception to exchange views and share their knowledge with fresh scholarship grantees.
In the opening speech, the Japanese ambassador asked the students to prepare for the changes they would encounter in Japan.
He also expressed his hope that the students would come back to Pakistan and work towards betterment of Pakistan-Japan relations.
Atsumi hoped that the students would not only learn Japanese language, but also communicate with Japanese people. He said Life in Japan would be completely different from that of Pakistan. “For instance, while trying to maintain its traditional lifestyle, Japan is equipped with modern technology, from subway stations to private homes. You may find it interesting to see advanced technology and machinery everywhere and they can at times inconvenience you. But I hope the hospitality and friendship of the Japanese people will get you through any adjustments you need to make,” the ambassador said.
At the end, he congratulated all scholarship grantees for their accomplishments and wished them best of luck in further studies.
Over 100 MEXT Research scholars have successfully returned to Pakistan after obtaining their PhD /Master’s degrees in Japan. They are actively working in various fields, making a significant contribution to Japan-Pakistan relationship by different means.
This fully funded Japanese scholarships programme is designed to contribute to long-term development needs of Pakistan for promoting good governance, economic growth and human development.
The scholarship grantees have been selected by the Embassy of Japan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan (MEXT) in collaboration with the MEXT Alumni Association of Pakistan (MAAP).
Chihiro Atsumi, the ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, hosted a reception at his official residence in the honour of the scholarship grantees.
The alumni of this scholarship programme were also invited to the reception to exchange views and share their knowledge with fresh scholarship grantees.
In the opening speech, the Japanese ambassador asked the students to prepare for the changes they would encounter in Japan.
He also expressed his hope that the students would come back to Pakistan and work towards betterment of Pakistan-Japan relations.
Atsumi hoped that the students would not only learn Japanese language, but also communicate with Japanese people. He said Life in Japan would be completely different from that of Pakistan. “For instance, while trying to maintain its traditional lifestyle, Japan is equipped with modern technology, from subway stations to private homes. You may find it interesting to see advanced technology and machinery everywhere and they can at times inconvenience you. But I hope the hospitality and friendship of the Japanese people will get you through any adjustments you need to make,” the ambassador said.
At the end, he congratulated all scholarship grantees for their accomplishments and wished them best of luck in further studies.
Over 100 MEXT Research scholars have successfully returned to Pakistan after obtaining their PhD /Master’s degrees in Japan. They are actively working in various fields, making a significant contribution to Japan-Pakistan relationship by different means.
37 students not allowed to sit PU exams
LAHORE, The Institute of Communication Studies, Punjab University, on Friday denied 37 students from appearing in their MS communication studies replica third semester final term paper for not fulfilling the basic attendance criteria.
It is learnt that students, under the semester rules, were bound to ensure 75 per cent attendance. While the institute director was allowed to give relief to students up to 10 per cent more absence on genuine reasons.
Institute officials told Dawn that 37 students out of 100 denied entry to the examination hall because they did not fulfill 65 per cent attendance.
The students protested for not allowing them entry to the examination hall. As the institute’s whole academic staff had gone to attend the rehearsal of the PU Convocation scheduled for Saturday (today), the students exchanged hot words with the institute staff.
The students demanded that they should be allowed to appear in their examination provisionally and they would complete their attendance later on.
Reportedly, some students tried to convince other students to boycott the paper and misbehaved with the institute staff.
It is learnt that all other 63 students appeared in their pa pers – print media, electronic media, advertising and public relations.
Upon complaint from the staff member, institute director Dr Ahsan Akhtar Naz has directed to convene an emergency meeting of the examination committee on Monday and sort out the ma
It is learnt that students, under the semester rules, were bound to ensure 75 per cent attendance. While the institute director was allowed to give relief to students up to 10 per cent more absence on genuine reasons.
Institute officials told Dawn that 37 students out of 100 denied entry to the examination hall because they did not fulfill 65 per cent attendance.
The students protested for not allowing them entry to the examination hall. As the institute’s whole academic staff had gone to attend the rehearsal of the PU Convocation scheduled for Saturday (today), the students exchanged hot words with the institute staff.
The students demanded that they should be allowed to appear in their examination provisionally and they would complete their attendance later on.
Reportedly, some students tried to convince other students to boycott the paper and misbehaved with the institute staff.
It is learnt that all other 63 students appeared in their pa pers – print media, electronic media, advertising and public relations.
Upon complaint from the staff member, institute director Dr Ahsan Akhtar Naz has directed to convene an emergency meeting of the examination committee on Monday and sort out the ma
World Bank Help For Pakistan's Education - A Poisoned Chalice
The importance of teachers training at university level can not be under estimated. The better a teacher trained, the better he or she can educate tomorrow generation of the country.
Higher education commission brought revolutionary changes in the quality of education at higher level around the county by running different innovative projects/programs.
Before the HEC revolutionary steps towards the higher education quality improvement, there was nothing as such convincible regarding teachers professional development.
HEC running different projects in the field of teacher’s education, professional development for higher studies to students and teachers, which ultimately result in high quality of education in the country to meet the global challenges.
The importance of teacher training and capacity building convinced the competent authority, who established Learning Innovation Department in 2003 under HEC that laid the foundation towards producing high quality of teachers in the county to fill the gap.
Unfortunately in Pakistan there are no such pre-requisites for university teachers, like school teachers. They will have to qualify PTC and CT teachers training courses before entering to the field of teaching, but at higher level there are no such pre-requisites, to teach at university level.
To bring the quality of higher education to international standers pre-requisites in the form of teacher professional development courses made as compulsory before entering to professional career in teaching at higher level.
LID took bold steps to bring the higher education level at par with international standards by polishing university teachers through conducting different professional competency enhancement programs.
LID conducting different types of professional development programs ranging from long duration to short duration programs.
These programs include seminars, workshops and lectures in specific subject area. These programs are delivered by experienced subject’s specialists.
Long term programs run under ID are 45 days to 3 months duration. During ling term professional development program teachers come from different universities of the country to HEC and 30-35 teachers batch trained in one long term program. Seminars and workshops are arranged at any university door step on the basis of the need of that specific university.
There are more than 16000 university teachers in Pakistan in different universities; National Academy of Higher Education trained 3564 teachers in the first phase of the project, which shows that only 22% of teachers are trained till now, ultimately keeping in view the financial position of the country and the time availability, the overall result is convincible.
Pakistan being a development country we are far away from the real target to meet the global challenges. We are still in dire need to take revolutionary steps for the professional development of teachers.
Keeping in view the importance and need of professional development of teacher’s, national academy of higher education start phase II of the project, in this phase total 2100 teachers will be trained through professional competency enhancement program and 400 teachers will be trained through information and communication technologies.
ICT have the potential to enhance the quality and effectiveness in the education, which can transform the nature of education and can change the way students learn.
The core aim of these professional development programs is to improve the pedagogical, communication and technological skills of the teachers.
Higher education commission brought revolutionary changes in the quality of education at higher level around the county by running different innovative projects/programs.
Before the HEC revolutionary steps towards the higher education quality improvement, there was nothing as such convincible regarding teachers professional development.
HEC running different projects in the field of teacher’s education, professional development for higher studies to students and teachers, which ultimately result in high quality of education in the country to meet the global challenges.
The importance of teacher training and capacity building convinced the competent authority, who established Learning Innovation Department in 2003 under HEC that laid the foundation towards producing high quality of teachers in the county to fill the gap.
Unfortunately in Pakistan there are no such pre-requisites for university teachers, like school teachers. They will have to qualify PTC and CT teachers training courses before entering to the field of teaching, but at higher level there are no such pre-requisites, to teach at university level.
To bring the quality of higher education to international standers pre-requisites in the form of teacher professional development courses made as compulsory before entering to professional career in teaching at higher level.
LID took bold steps to bring the higher education level at par with international standards by polishing university teachers through conducting different professional competency enhancement programs.
LID conducting different types of professional development programs ranging from long duration to short duration programs.
These programs include seminars, workshops and lectures in specific subject area. These programs are delivered by experienced subject’s specialists.
Long term programs run under ID are 45 days to 3 months duration. During ling term professional development program teachers come from different universities of the country to HEC and 30-35 teachers batch trained in one long term program. Seminars and workshops are arranged at any university door step on the basis of the need of that specific university.
There are more than 16000 university teachers in Pakistan in different universities; National Academy of Higher Education trained 3564 teachers in the first phase of the project, which shows that only 22% of teachers are trained till now, ultimately keeping in view the financial position of the country and the time availability, the overall result is convincible.
Pakistan being a development country we are far away from the real target to meet the global challenges. We are still in dire need to take revolutionary steps for the professional development of teachers.
Keeping in view the importance and need of professional development of teacher’s, national academy of higher education start phase II of the project, in this phase total 2100 teachers will be trained through professional competency enhancement program and 400 teachers will be trained through information and communication technologies.
ICT have the potential to enhance the quality and effectiveness in the education, which can transform the nature of education and can change the way students learn.
The core aim of these professional development programs is to improve the pedagogical, communication and technological skills of the teachers.
An advice for those who want to study abroad
Every year thousands and thousands of people leave the comforts of their homes to study in countries such as the United States, Canada, England, and Australia. Why do they do it? Many feel that studying abroad gives them a kind of prestige in their home country. It may even lead to a better job. And quite a few people want to study abroad for the pure pleasure and excitement it brings.
But living and studying in another country can also have its problems. Almost everyone experiences some level of homesickness. People go home earlier than expected because their ideas about living in another country were different from reality.
You should be aware of all the advantages and disadvantages before you start packing your bags.
Disadvantages of Studying Abroad
Studying abroad does not mean you will learn magically.
Many people think that they just need to live in another country and they will learn a lot. This is not completely true. You still need to pay attention and study.. However, it may come to you easier and faster than if you study in your home country.
Studying abroad can be hard. You will probably have times when you miss your family, friends, food, and everything familiar. Almost everyone goes through some cultural shock. You will have to realize and accept that it will take some time to adjust to a new way of living.
Studying abroad can be expensive.
There is no doubt that it takes money to study abroad. It can vary from kind of expensive to very expensive. Most places don't allow international students to work. You will have to have the money before you arrive in the country or have someone from home support you. Is this something that you and/or your family can afford?
Advantages of Studying Abroad
Your eyes are opened to the world.
We often grow up thinking that our way of doing things is the only way, or sometimes the best way. But living in a new culture helps us realize new ways of doing things, and also helps us to see that even though we are different, we are all human. And in many cases, not only will you get to know the natives of the country you are visiting; you may get to know classmates from all over the world.
You learn to take care of yourself.
Living in another country, even if it is with a host family, means you might be doing things you may not have done in your home country. These include cooking, cleaning, grocery shopping, washing clothes, figuring out transportation, making living arrangements, setting up accounts for cell phones and utilities, etc. You may think of this as a disadvantage, but many international students go home proud that they have become very self sufficient.
Your life will be forever changed.
One of the greatest things that happens when you do something as big as live in another country is- you become a changed person- your outlook on life is different. Your new maturity can help lead you to new places in your life.
You make memories that will last a lifetime.
Your pictures, journals, and souvenirs will help you remember your time abroad, but your memories and emotions of this special time will also be a part of your life until you are very old.
So how can you know if studying abroad is right for you? First, start by talking to people who have already done it. Of course everyone will have his or her own experience and point of view, it can be really helpful to hear what other people have to say
Education is a better safeguard
The importance of education is quite clear. It tells us how to think and how to make decision. We should give our youth the way to educate themselves. As we know every years education policies reviewed by the government but the result are not satisfied.Our wrong and self-interest leaders and policy makers are playing with our nation just for their on profit and aims.Our actual asset is youth who are the future of pakistan. It is imperative to highlight their leadership qualities and discourage negative activities. Teacher at each level is a role model for students. It is duty of teachers to teach the lesson of knowledge, peace and awareness.
Our youth are the wisdom and light of all darkness. And for the youth to listen to their parents and teachers and be aware of the things out there that can harm them and say away from that.It is a duty of our teachers at each level suggested them that only the educated are free. Common man and our students is already under immense stress and has very little voice in society. Unfortunately one major reason of military influence is our low-wisdom, self-interest and narrow mind leaders. It is most important to note that teachers have to lead and educate a nation. Teaching is Holy prophet profession. The need is to rethink and evaluate ourselves whether we deserve this nobel profession or we should say good bye to teaching. Same thing need active and honest educated leadership. One thing badly that is lost in our youth and leaders are moral values.
Firstly it is duty of our parents and then teachers to give them the concept of right and wrong things. Media also playing very important role to give them the concept of right and wrong. The training of a human mind is not complete without education. Infact pupils follow a teacher if our teachers are talented and educated students would give good result. When we evalute the history of pakistan since birth of pakistan we analize the importance of education and powerful role of our teachers and students. Today again need of same passion. With the struggle of teachers and our youth with great zeal we can not achieve our objective of nation-building and bright pakistan. pakistan history shows that education system has been destablize invariably through domestic causes. Usually in house-intrigues, conflicts and conspiracies.Our political leaders are power seeker and not honestly and devotedly work on education system.
Exploitation of rules and law is common in every field of life. We see the non-democratic elements especially in education system. Without wide pupils awareness and an effective public openion the education system not succeeded. In every field of life the role of teacher is imperative for bright future of pakistan. We all responsible to teach students carefully in right direction with nation-hood. Not because that we paid of it the whole nation would have to pay at the end. We should take advantage of our youth and strength. It is our duty not wait for leaders do it alone, person to person and feed our students positive way. We know that fortune helps the honest and brave and courage can guide our life and save us.
Education Policy 1998-2010
Salient Features of National Education Policy 1998-2010
Aims and objectives of Education and Islamic Education
Literacy and non-formal Education
Elementary Education
Secondary Education
Teacher Education
Technical and Vocational Education
Higher Education
Information Technology
Library and Documentation Services
Private sector in Education
Innovative Programs
Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation
Aims and objectives of Education and Islamic Education
Education and training should enable the citizens of Pakistan to lead their lives according to the teachings of Islam as laid down in the Qur'an and Sunnah and to educate and train them as a true practicing Muslim. To evolve an integrated system of national education by bringing Deeni Madaris and modern schools closer to each stream in curriculum and the contents of education. Nazira Qur'an will be introduced as a compulsory component from grade I-VIII while at secondary level translation of the selected verses from the Holy Qur'an will be offered.
Literacy and Non-Formal Education
Eradication of illiteracy through formal and informal means for expansion of basic education through involvement of community. The current literacy rate of about 39% will be raised to 55% during the first five years of the policy and 70% by the year 2010 Functional literacy and income generation skills will be provided to rural women of 15 to 25 age group and basic educational facilities will be provided to working children. Functional literacy will be imparted to adolescents (10-14) who missed out the chance of primary education. The existing disparities in basic education will be reduced to half by year 2010.
Education
Education
 | Vision "Our Vision is to prepare the nation for the challenges of Knowledge Revolution". Mission "Our aim is to transform Pakistan's education system into equal opportunity quality education provider". Functions
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Children
Despite the numerous promises and provisions made by the Indian government, the state of many of the country's children continues to be pitiable. Statistics reveal that there are close to 13 million child laborers, about 3 to 5 lakh children are forcibly engaged in prostitution and at least 18 million children live on the streets in India. Coupled with child abuse and poverty figures, the picture is far from pretty. A little help on your part can and will bring these numbers down!
Education
Though the number of literate people in India has increased over the years, she still has the largest number of uneducated children in the world - two-thirds of whom are girls. Government reports indicate that 59 million children between 6-14 years do not attend school. Official information further indicates that just a little over one-third of all children who enroll in grade one reach grade eight. All this for a country which has made education for children in the age group 6-14 years a fundamental right? Your help will go a long way in providing educational opportunities for children who would otherwise be left behind.