The government has initiated a stipend program for students in districts with minimal education ratios, particularly in merged districts, to incentivize more children to pursue education, said MPA Battagram Taj Muhammad Khan, chairman of the standing committee for education, here on Friday.
To ensure enhanced quality education, school leaders have been appointed, and their grievances will be addressed on a priority basis. The government has decided to extend the contracts of school leaders, limiting their responsibilities to monitoring education quality in schools.
Furthermore, the education department has been directed to present recommendations for the future of school leaders. Ministerial staff who have held their positions for one and a half years or more will be reposted soon, with the process commencing in three districts.
The Accelerated Learning Program (ALP) will be expanded to other districts, with plans to integrate students into the mainstream education system and conduct examinations. Before expanding ALP, the government will rectify existing flaws and problems in the system.
The education department has also instructed that school buildings nearing completion can obtain permission from the finance department to recruit staff.
The construction of schools is a time-consuming process, and various ancillary issues are also involved. To circumvent these challenges, the government has initiated the Rented Building School program. Under this initiative, schools are established in rented buildings, thereby saving time and facilitating the immediate commencement of educational activities.
He further stated that arrangements are being made to allocate funds for schools nearing completion. Throughout the province, Education Board Chairmen, Secretaries, and Controllers have been appointed on a merit basis, and their shortcomings are being addressed on a priority basis.
Also read: International Education Day Marked
All boards have been instructed to install CCTV cameras in examination halls during exams, with a live link to the concerned board of education. The DC, police, and district administration have been contacted to ensure the conduct of fair examinations. He emphasized that unfair means and paper leaks must be eradicated to prevent talented students from being affected by illicit practices.
To ensure merit and fair conduct of examinations, it has been decided to establish common examination halls for students from public and private institutions. A committee has also decided to convene a meeting of all boards to present recommendations for improving the examination system.
Education is our foremost priority, and the finance department must release funds to the Elementary and Secondary Education Foundation, Textbook Board, Model Schools, and other schools with pending allocations. The education department has been directed to revise community school teachers’ salaries to align with the minimum wage policy.
He stated that to address staff shortages in schools, the education department will advertise teacher recruitment next week.
