5th Meeting of the Standing Committee on Federal Education
Islamabad: — A meeting of the National Assembly – Standing Committee on Federal Education, Professional Training, National Heritage and Culture was held under the Chairmanship of Dr. Azim Uddin Zahid Lakhvi at Pakistan National Council of Arts (PNCA).
During the meeting, the committee deferred consideration of three legislative proposals: the “The RAVI Institute (RI) Sahiwal Bill, 2024”, “The Reservation of Special Seats for Deserving Persons in Universities Bill, 2024 and the “The Nexus International University of Health Emerging Sciences and Technologies Bill, 2024,” to next meeting of the committee. However, the committee recommended “The South City University Bill, 2024 with some amendments to be incorporated.
The Convenor of the Sub-Committee of the Standing Committee on Federal Education, Professional Training, National Heritage, and Culture presented the report, outlining its primary objective to ‘visit schools and degree colleges across both urban and rural areas of Islamabad, assess the services provided, identify existing gaps, and make recommendations for further improvements’ to enhance the quality of education and facilities.
The detailed report of the sub-committee highlighted several critical issues related to the schools, particularly in rural areas. One of the key concerns is the ongoing teacher shortage, which has been exacerbated by delays in the recruitment process. This shortage is particularly evident in rural schools, where there is an urgent need for qualified educators. Additionally, the report highlights the absence of IT infrastructure in many schools, with the lack of IT labs and computer teachers hindering the progress of digital education. The committee has recommended that these resources be made available in all rural schools to ensure equitable access to technology for all students.
Another significant issue raised was the ineffectiveness of monitoring systems within the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE). Weak monitoring mechanisms have made it difficult to ensure effective oversight of school performance and the proper implementation of educational programs. The sub-committee also identified facility deficiencies in many rural schools, particularly those that have suffered from years of neglect. Many of these schools lack basic infrastructure, including adequate sanitation facilities, and in some cases, the hygiene conditions do not meet necessary health standards. Water facilities in these schools are also insufficient, further compounding the problem. Moreover, the School Management Committees (SMCs), which are intended to support school governance and management, are not functioning optimally, and their capacity needs to be enhanced to improve school operations.
The committee also pointed out that the infrastructure in some schools remains subpar, with outdated blackboards still in use. To improve teaching conditions, the committee has recommended replacing these blackboards with whiteboards to facilitate a better learning environment. In light of these issues, the sub-committee has outlined several key recommendations aimed at addressing these challenges. First, the process for the appointment of a regular Director General for the FDE should be initiated on an urgent basis to provide strong leadership and direction for the Directorate. The committee also emphasized the need for accelerated recruitment of teachers to address the shortage, particularly in rural areas, and urged the Areas Education Officers to ensure that schools with a shortage of furniture, computers, and other essential resources are promptly supplied.
The sub-committee recommended the implementation of an enhanced monitoring system to ensure more effective oversight of schools and the allocation of resources. To address the infrastructure gaps in rural schools, the committee called on the Ministry of Finance to allocate funds for the immediate improvement of school facilities, including better sanitation, water supply, and general infrastructure. Strengthening the role of School Management Committees (SMCs) is also a priority, as their active involvement is crucial to improving school governance and management. Regular training programs for headteachers and teachers were recommended to ensure they are equipped with the skills needed to enhance teaching effectiveness. Lastly, the committee suggested that headteachers engage more actively with local communities and SMCs to collaborate on solving school-related challenges and improving overall school performance.
By addressing these key observations and implementing the proposed recommendations, the sub-committee aims to improve the quality of education in rural schools, enhance infrastructure, and ensure that students have access to the necessary resources and support to succeed academically.
The committee stressed the need for the Finance Division to allocate additional funds to the Ministry of Education and Professional Training. This funding is essential to meet the basic needs and services in schools, and to bridge the gap between rural and urban areas in terms of facilities and services in ICT educational institutions.
The committee appreciated various interventions undertaken by the Ministry in both rural and urban schools with major focus on 287 rural schools. These interventions include 50 Digital Technology Learning Hubs, teacher training, interactive smart boards, Chromebook labs, distributed 30,000 Google Education Plus licenses to 16,000 students and 2,000 teachers, donated 100 laptops, launched coding and AI fellowships, 286 new teachers have been recruited, school meals for 32,000 students, sports kits for 20,000 primary students, and solarization projects. These efforts aim to improve facilities, digital access, and overall educational quality, reducing the rural-urban gap.
The Secretary National Heritage and Culture Division gave briefing on ‘Pakistan National Council of the Arts’ (PNCA), established under the PNCA Act of 1973, is the nation’s leading institution for promoting arts and culture. As an autonomous body under the National Heritage & Culture Division, PNCA coordinates and fosters artistic activities across Pakistan. It manages various cultural venues, art academies, and festivals, while supporting the establishment of artist unions and collaborations. PNCA also plays a key role in advising the government on cultural matters and implementing national and international cultural agreements.
In 2023-24, PNCA organized key cultural events, including Independence Day and Defence Day observances, Black Day and Iqbal Day celebrations, and Quaid Day commemorations. It also hosted regular puppet shows, visual art exhibitions, workshops, and a scriptwriting session. Other events included Kashmir Solidarity Day, musical performances, and stage plays, highlighting PNCA’s commitment to preserving Pakistan’s cultural heritage and promoting artistic expression nationwide.
The following members attended the meeting including, Dr. Azim-ud-Din Zahid Lakhvi MNA, Mr. Anjum Aqeel Khan MNA, Raja Khurram Shahzad Nawaz MNA, Syeda Nosheen Iftikhar MNA, Mr. Zulfiqar Ali Bhatti MNA, Ms. Farah Naz Akbar MNA, Ms. Musarrat Asif Khawaja MNA, Dr. Shazia Sobia Aslam Soomro MNA, Ms. Mahtab Akbar Rashdi MNA, Ms. Mussarat Rafique Mahesar MNA, Mr. Abdul Aleem Khan MNA, Ms. Sabheen Ghoury MNA, Mr. Dawar Khan Kundi MNA, Mr. Usama Hamza MNA, Mr. Muhammad Aslam Ghumman MNA, Syed Rafiullah MNA, Syed Khursheed Ahmad Shah MNA, Chairman Higer Education Commission, Secretary Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training, Secretary National Heritage and Culture Division and other officers concerned.