Project to upgrade 8,360 schools launched

Ministry of Education Punjab has formally launched a project to upgrade 8,360 schools across the province under the “Insaaf Afternoon Schools Programme”.

According to a notification issued by the provincial education ministry, the project will cost Rs6.5 billion. Under the programme, 20,000 school teachers will be recruited temporarily as interns.

Under the project, in primary schools middle classes will be run in the evening shift, higher classes will be conducted in middle schools and higher secondary classes will be conducted in high schools in the second shift.

The notification said that verification of all such upgraded schools will start from June 24 and a formal notification in this regard will be issued on July 15. According to the officials, the recruitment of teachers for these schools will take place next month.

Under the project, the age limit for recruitment for female teachers has been set between 20 to 55 years while for male teachers between 20 to 50 years. Matric and up to graduation has been set the minimum qualification for the recruitment of teachers with second division.

Under the project, primary teachers will be paid Rs18,000, middle-class teachers Rs20,000, high-class teachers Rs25,000 and higher secondary school teachers Rs30,000.

In the first phase, the project will be launched in six districts, Gujranwala, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rahim Yar Khan, Sialkot, Mianwali and Rajanpur.

In the second phase, its scope will be extended to all 36 districts of Punjab.

Under the project, special attention will be given to schools in villages. A total of 3 million to 3.5 million students will be enrolled in these schools. Students will get free education, free books, and free admissions.

Appointment of principals

The Punjab Higher Education Commission (HEC) has sought names for a panel from the divisional director to appoint principals in 15 postgraduate and degree colleges in the Rawalpindi division.

HEC has also directed to send the names latest by June 25. At present, there are 12 girls and five boys degree colleges in the division where no principal is appointed. Govt Wiqarun Nisa Postgraduate College, Dhok Syedan Govt Degree College, Dhok Kala Khan Girls College, Jand Girls College, Zafarul Haq Road Girls College, Hazro Girls College, Balkasar Girls College, Bhagwal Girls College, Gawalmandi Girls College, Jhelum Girls College, Sanghui, Girls College, and Satellite Town Block B-Girls College are among the list.

The five boys' degree colleges (BDCs) are Choa Saidan Shah, Talagang, Hassan Abdullah, Pindi Gheb, and Shahbaz Sharif Boys College in Khayaban e Sir Syed.

A total of 100 marks merit is created to appoint a principal, of which 70 marks will be given to the candidates for academic, experience, performance in colleges, and additional qualification while 30 marks are allocated for interview. The HEC secretary will interview the candidates himself. After which, notifications will hold the interviews in July followed to appoint permanent principals in all colleges in the same month.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 24th, 2021.