My Artilce in EW

8/3/2019 My Artilce in EW

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Education Watch ct~|The news behind tomorrows headlines

ber 05, 2009October 12 e-edition Vol.

Pakistans first newspaper dedicated to education

Stephen Hawking up title NDON: Acclaimed wheelchair-bound scientist Stephen Hawking is to hand over his top

mbridge University job this week, the prestigious seat of learning said on Wednesday.

wking, whose book A Brief History of Time became an international best-seller, is standingn as Cambridges Lucasian professor of mathematics at the age of 67, as stipulated in the

ms of the post.Hawking, who suffers from motor neurone disease, will continue to work with

university after his last day in the professorship on Wednesday, a university spokesman

d. The new Lucasian pro fessor wi l l be announced short ly .

vious holders of the post, founded by parliamentarian Henry Lucas in 1663, include Sir

c Newton, Charles Babbage, Sir Joseph Larmor and Sir James Lighthill. Hawking has

eved worldwide fame for his research, writing and television documentaries despite suffer-

since the age of 21 from motor neurone disease that has left him disabled and dependent on

ice synthesizer.

Its just not a tribute to you teachers,

its just not a warmths of our hearts,

its not just a special attention for you,its like the whole potential,

what we are paying to you,

because of your efforts u know us,

and even we know who we are,

You taught us how to get faith in us,

You build up us confidence boost up,

and because of you we always feel,

our comfortable and easy,

We would like to say one thing at last,

miss/sir you have made my past,

a beautiful past and you have made us fast,or we would have been standing apart in the row of last

hawar, Oct 2: Following objections from lawmakers, Acting Speaker

he NWFP Assembly Khushdil Khan Thursday referred to an assem-

committee the Education Ministry's directive asking the primary and

dle schools to purchase a set of encyclopedia books.

explanation by Minister for Higher Education Sardar Hussain Ba-

couldn't satisfy the opposition members and mover of the adjourn-

nt motion. PPP parliamentary leader Abdul Akbar Khan earlier drew

attention of the House towards the Education Ministry's directive to

mary and middle schools in the province to purchase the encyclope-

which he felt would benefit a few people instead of students. "The

ernment is concentrating on improving schooling. It has authorisedParents Teachers Council (PTC) comprising five to six people to

et of encyclopedia books: National writing contest 09

Education department under fire in NWFP Assemblypurchase equipment for libraries, laboratories according to

own requirements," the minister replied but the mover was q

remind the minister that they had no objection to it but w

government had issued letters to schools binding them to pu

the encyclopedia set.

Saqibullah Chamkani supported the mover and suggested

own party's minister not to make purchase of precious encycl

compulsory, but instead provide teachers to schools that lack

JUI-F's Mufti Kifayatullah made a similar demand. Forme

minister and PML-N parliamentary leader Pir Sabir Shah cl

that 90 percent of school funds were being misused, particula(Continued on page, 14 Click here )


2/15

Education Watch ct~|t October 05, 2009 - October 12, 2009 e-edition Vol. 1 No.04

AMABAD: Modern education system would be imple-

ted in Madaris with their own religious education and

ees of these Madaris would be recognised in all the edu-

nal institutions, Interior Minister Rehman Malik told

media after meeting with scholars at his office on Tues-

The government and the Madaris of five schools of

ght agreed to modernise the Madaris education system

restore its dignity. The agreement was finalised here at

Interior Ministry among Malik and representatives of

zim-ul-Madaris Ehle Sunnat, Wafaq-ul-Madaris Arabia,

aq-ul-Madaris Al-Salfia, Wafaq-ul-Madaris Shia and

ta Al-Madaris.

k said it was agreed in the meeting that the educational

ds of all the five schools of thought would be registered

der to give recognition to the degrees of these Madaris.

des, an Inter Madaris Board, superior than these boards

d be set up to attest their degrees as well as to review

educational system of Madaris.He said under the agree-

t all the Madaris would register themselves with the

r Madaris Board and those who would not get registra-

would not to be allowed to function. He said as many as

00 Madaris had registered themselves with the govern-

t while 5,000 others would soon be registered under the

ement.

aid under the deal, the Madaris would function like pri-

educational institutions which would not only restore

r dignity but also give respect to the students of the

aris.He said he would take on board all political parties

he matter, besides the four chief ministers and other

eholders would be consulted in this regard. Those who

nded the meeting included Mufti Munib-ur-Rehman, Dr

a-ur-Rehman, Jawad Haideri and others.

Islamabad: National Book Foundation (NBF) would award Rs 1.2 million t

best writers of kids' literature in 'National Writing Competition 2009-10'. A

Sajid, Assistant Director NBF told this news agency that writers can send

October 31 three copies of their writing material in English, Urdu and regi

language alongwith their CV. The writing competition is aimed at promotiliterature, developing reading habits, increasing harmony among children,

ents and teachers and creating children interest in additional reading mat

and textbooks, she informed.

Giving details of the competition, the director said, those books which were

any competition of NBF, would not be eligible for entry again. Fresh and n

writings will be given preference. Afshan said that the detailed advertisem

carrying criteria for the competition has been published through print med

week. A total of 48 awards in various categories would be given to winning

ers. The first winner would bag Rs 40,000, second Rs 30,000, third Rs 20,00

the fourth would get Rs 10,000 respectively. Under the competition, books

dren aged between four to sixteen years in three different categories would

included under topics of science and technology, social sciences, social valu

pictorial stories.

Science and technology group include the category of everyday sciences, he

and nutrition, earth and atmosphere, environmental issues and its solution

preparation against calamities, games and quizzes. In Social Studies group

categories are Pakistan - its geography, places and people, travelogue, chil

poems, novel, regional folk and short stories, drama and national heroes. T

categories in the social values group include women role in society, peace a

erance, ethics and values. In the pictorial stories group, the categories are

stories, humorous stories, poster and charts. The Assistant Director said th

awards will be given to those writers who would author best books on diffe

topics of kids' interest. Through this scheme, the children literature would

moted to great extent and ample books would be available for them. The fo

tion would provide 500 copies of the top books of the competition to the sch

braries. To make the market accessible for writers and publishers, the foun

would play its role to create opportunities, she added. The foundation is strto promote reading habits among children and making studies interesting.

results announced by NBF will be final and cannot be challenged in any co

The Nation

National Book Foundation to hold

National Writing Contest 2009-201

Lahore: Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that all the go

ment policies are aimed at welfare of the poor and billions of rupees are be

spent on the projects for their betterment. He said a strategy had been ado

elimination of poverty, ignorance and unemployment and provision of basicties to the masses. Talking to British MP Lord Nazir Ahmad here on Friday

CM said a favourable atmosphere had been created for the promotion of for

investment. He said that process of industrialization had been accelerated

opportunities were being created by promoting trade and economic activitie

the province.

Mr Shahbaz said the government was concentrating on promotion of qualit

cation and provision of modern health facilities to the people. He said the P

Educational Endowment Fund had been set up for the assistance to the poo

talented students while the project of the Danish Schools had been initiate

the provision of modern academic facilities to students of the backward are

He said the Danish Schools would not only equip the new generation with

knowledge but also prove to be a milestone in promoting quality education

(Continued on page, 14 Click here )

Punjab government focusing o

education, health sectors, CM

njab Police Presented Guard of Honorthe Position Holder Students

ree- Punjab CM Shehbaz Shahreef is taking a great

rest in education. On the special invitation of CM Sha-

z Sharif, 30 top position holder students of recent ma-

ulation examination of educational boards of Baha-

pur, Faisalabad, Lahore and Sargodha were invited to

ree on a five-day visit.

alpindi- Representative Association of Private schools

akistan have decided to run a campaign against new

ation policy. According to sources, the Association has

ted new education policy and said that the new educa-

policy is just playing with the words, bringing govern-

t schools equal to A and O level is just a sweet dream

there is no time limit and plan has been presented.

ces further mentioned that soon representative asso-

ons of private schools, 1-Private School Managementociation 2-Private Academies From Pakistan 3-Private

ols Welfare Associations 4- Private School Network and

l Pakistan Private Schools Association will come to one

m and run against educational policy.

ivate Schools Associationll run campaign against New

ducation Policy 2009


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ga Khan University

U) and the Suicide

vention and Re-

rch Interest Group

Ring-AKU) in col-

ration with Johns

pkins University

omberg hosted Paki-

ns first nationalinar on suicide pre-

tion on September

The host of the semi-

Dr Junaid Patel, Assistant Professor at the Department of Medi-

kept the atmosphere light with his witty one-liners and made the

ience

fortable in asking questions related to this tabooed issue.

ost of doctors and psychiatrists addressed the event. Professor and

irman of the Psychiatry department, Dr Murad M Khan, said that

ut a million people commit suicide worldwide while another 10 to

million attempt it. In Pakistan, we used to have a low suicide rate

since the mid 90s it has now increased up to 6,000 to 8,000 sui-

s a year, he said.

ssing the need to understand the cultural meaning of suicide,istant Professor of Psychiatry, Dr Haider Naqvi, highlighted the

hs attached to it, for instance, that suicide is an unpardonable sin.

ch myths ostracise the family and create hurdles for patients seek-

proper health care. Persecution of a person on the basis of an at-

pted suicide is nowhere in jurisprudence as well as in Quran. It is

h time that we stopped treating suicide as a crime and rather en-

raged patients and doctors alike to speak about it openly as this

be a great confidence booster for the patient, Naqvi said.

anwhile, Assistant Professor Dr Ehsanullah Syed pointed out that

ide is one of the three leading causes of death among young peo-

adding that factors such as parental separation, divorce, family

ord, and child abuse force youngsters to drink and use drugs in

er to vent off their anger and depression. Research in Pakistan

shown that suicidal behaviour is higher amongst young marriedmen than in single ones. Early marriages, dependency on their

uses, little freedom on choosing their partners and to top it all be-

pressurized constantly to have children early in the marriage cre-

a great deal of psychological distress for a woman, she said. After

Nargis left the podium, Dr Junaid commented that after almost a

dred years of marriage, his wife has stopped feeling suicidal and

ts to kill him for a change to end her misery, which was a posi-

sign! Leading human rights campaigner Advocate Zia Awan also

ke on the occasion and called for micro level efforts for better man-

ment of suicide patients by establishing suicide prevention centres

telephone hotlines. He also urged the government, NGOs and

ntal health professionals to work together to reduce suicides in

istan. All the speakers agreed unanimously about the need to sen-

e health practitioners and breaking down the mental blocksch creates hurdles in their interaction with the patients.

DUHS principals condition stable, says famil

Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS) Principal Dr Salah

Afsar condition is now stable condition, his family members tol

News. Afsar was shot at yesterday night, when he attacked b

assassins riding a motorbike outside his clinic in North Nazim

The doctor sustained a wound above the hip bone, and was im

ately rushed to Aga Khan University Hospitals private

The wing where Afsar is being treated is being heavily guarded,

his family also turned down a number of media interviews. Relea bit, his wife expressed her surprise over why Afsar was tar

Hes not politically affiliated or a part of any such thing, so I

understand why anybody would want to harm him, she

She said that her husband was a soft spoken man, who had neve

embroiled in any controversy. She also refuted talk of sectaria

lence, saying: As I said before, my husband has never been ha

anyone let alone being involved in such a thing.OUR CORRES

DENT ADDS: Armed men made an attempt on the life of Dow M

College Pro-Vice Chancellor Salahuddin Asfar in the North Na

bad police limits late on Monday night. Police said that Asfar, a

dent of Phase-VI, DHA, was returning home from Remedial Ho

in North Nazimabad, when armed men opened fire and escaped.

sustained a bullet wound.

Prof. Asfar was shifted to the hospital, where his condition is nported to be stable. In his statement, he said that he had no e

with anyone. A case has been registered and investigation is

way.Attack on Prof. Afsar condemned: Faculty members at a m

at the Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS) condemned th

tal attack on Professor Salahuddin Afsar, Pro Vice-Chancello

Principal of the Dow Medical College. The faculty members dem

of the Sindh government that a judicial inquiry into the matter i

ducted, and the culprits are punished. They said that there was a

to provide security to medical and para-medical professionals, a

were custodians of health of society. Faculty members also pray

for the speedy recovery of Prof. Afsar. Meanwhile, DUHS

Chancellor Dr Masood Hameed Khan said in a press release th

attack on Afsar was aimed at depressing the doctors communit

appealed to the government and law-enforcing agencies to psecurity to the medical professionals.

Malakand youth to be inducteISLAMABAD: Ministry of Youth Affairs has planned to give prio

the educated youth of Malakand division under its upcoming ph

National Internship Programme (NIP). "The minis try will

around 30,000 fresh graduates in the second phase of the progra

an official of Youth Affairs Ministry said here on Monday. He sai

an amount of Rs 3.6 billion has been allocated for the progr

"Graduates of Malakand division passed through bad times so th

istry would facilitate them in the upcoming phase of National I

ship Programme enabling them to share the burden of their famhe said. Giving details of the selection criteria, he informed that

graduates having 14 years of education below the age of 25

Malakand will only be accommodated on the priority

The internees will be paid a monthly stipend of Rs 10,000 (all

sive) during the internship period. After successful completion

year's internship, interns will be awarded National Internshi

gramme certificate of experience. The candidates will be app

after complete verification of the required documents by NADR

Higher Education Commission (HEC). The process of verificatio

placement of the interns will start soon after receiving applicatio

said. MoYA has already provided employment opportunities to

than 25,000 young graduates through internship programme. H

the plan of "Economic Empowerment of Youth" by the ministry

help harness potential of the young educated generation in the

direction by imparting training and offering internships.

ORE: The irregularities in the admission test conducted by the

versity of Heath Sciences have caused panic among the students

des leaving many question marks on the UHS system of admis

test.The wrong setting of the paper, provision of incorrect an-

s of at least 20 questions in the 'Key', wrong delivery and late

ibution of the papers have exposed the inability and inefficacy of

UHS administration which despite having all resources disap-

ted the students and their parents in particular and the public at

e in general, said a Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) press

ment is sued here on Monday.P


4/15


rachi-Jinnah University for Women (JUW) has added

ee more departments to its academic programme. The

w departments include International Relations, Agricul-

e-Crop Physiology and Statistics. This has brought the

mber of JUW departments to 22 in four faculties of Phar-

cy, Business Administration, Science and Arts. The new

partments will admit the students from the academic

sion 2010. The JUW has announced that its Students

ek will commence from October 5 and continue for a

ek.

ree more departments set up at JUW

ISLAMABAD: Researchers have raised concerns about increasing expo

secondhand smoke (SHS) among college students. It is well-known tha

are some serious health issues surrounding secondhand smoke, BBCquotes them as saying in a study. According to the researchers, while so

lege campuses are smoke-free, others have virtually no restrictions on smo

not even in the residential halls.

There is a growing national movement to move away from that, but it st

much varies by campus. In this first study to evaluate the SHS exposure

college students, we were really kind of floored to see how many, and h

quently, students are exposed to it, they said. During the study, the rese

surveyed 4,223 undergraduate college students of which 83 percent report

ing been exposed to the SHS at least once in the seven days preceding the

The study showed that 65 percent of the exposure happened at a restau

bar, followed by 55 percent exposure at home or in the same room and 38

in car. According to it, daily and occasional smokers were more likely th

smokers to report exposure, perhaps not surprising given that they ar

likely than other students to have friends who smoke and to frequent orlocations where smoking occurs. Similarly, students who binge drink wer

likely than other students to report exposure to the SHS. Other factors

appeared to be associated with increased exposure to the SHS, included l

residence locations where smoking is allowed or locations associated with

ing, such as Greek houses and off-campus housing, being female, of whi

having parents with higher education levels and attending a public versus

vate school.

The SHS contains at least 250 chemicals that are either toxic or carcinoge

is, itself, considered a human carcinogen. We were really shocked to see

percent of students reported at least some exposure during the previous

Wolfson said. That said we dont know if the exposure was at a nuisance

at a level that might influence health. Either way, knowing what we know

the SHS, lowering the rates of smoking is definitely something we should

ously looking at on college campuses, he added. The study suggests that should consider looking at ways to take steps to reduce smoking and conco

exposure to SHS among their students. app

ahore, Sep 06, 2008: Students of O/A Level staged a

otest demonstration outside Lahore Press Club here on

iday against the discriminatory treatment of Inter-

ard Committee of Chairman (IBCC) regarding their

mission in public universities. They were carrying

acards and banners inscribed with slogans against

CC and chanted slogans in favour of their demands. Dr

arhat, representative of the O/A Level students later

dressing a press conference said that we, the parentsthese students, have spent everything for these chil-

en to get quality education. These students are the

eam of the nation but in this system they are badly

fected, as there is hardly any admission for these stu-

nts in the professional colleges. In 2007 there was only

e student of 0/A Level who managed to get admission

King Edward Medical University on open merit be-

use IBCC grossly failed to keep uniformity among the

A Level students and the local education system. They

uld not maintain harmony among the foreign universi-

s like Cambridge and local education system.

CC has put a seal (upper limit marks) of 935 that are

ven at the time of equivalence certificate and Pakistan

edical and Dental Council clearly wrote that 0/A Leveludents have been badly affected and their future is

ined by IBCC committee. Furthermore, the O/A Level

udents are tested from FSc course which is more mem-

y based whereas 0/A level consists of the conceptual

udies and a lot of hard work is instilled by the stu-

nts. At the time of giving equivalence certificate, 15 to

per cent of the marks given by Cambridge University

t reduced. As a result they cannot get admission in any

ofessional college and their future is ruined at

e hands of the IBCC. The topper of FC College got 1060

arks out of 1100 in FSc course in 2007 whereas the

pper of Cambridge University scored 935 marks only.

his examination is held in more than 100 countries.

the recent years FSc examination course has intro-ced multiple-choice questions, as a result they get

aximum marks whereas 0/A Level students severally

ffer in this regard. Dr Farhat demanded that there

ould be no reduction in the marks given by the Cam-

idge University. The entry test of 0/A Level students

ould be from their respective course. The Nation

/A Level students protest

Secondhand smoke exposuregrows among college students

Karachi (PPI): U.S. Consul General Karachi, Stephen Fakan today hon

Pakistani high school students selected to go to Washington, DC, for a tw

science and technology exchange program. The students, including 26 g

26 boys, are making the trip as part of the Links to Learning (ED-Lin

gram, supported by the U.S. Agency for International Development (US

know your parents and teachers are proud of your selection for this pr

Consul General Fakan told the students.

52 Pakistani students on US exchange v

njab Govt takes action against Controller Exami-

ion Rawalpindi Mr. Khalid

walpindi- Taking immediate action against controller

mination Rawalpindi Mr. Khalid, has been made OSD

d called to Lahore. This action was taken due to the leak-

of examination papers of board of Rawalpindi beforeexam.


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Education Watch ct~|t October 05, 2009 - October 12, 2009 e-edition Vol. 1 No.04students

HORE: The irregularities in the admission test conducted by the University ofth Sciences have caused panic among the students besides leaving manytion marks on the UHS system of admission test.wrong setting of the paper, provision of incorrect answers of at least 20 ques-

s in the 'Key', wrong delivery and late distribution of the papers have exposed

inability and inefficacy of the UHS administration which despite having all

urces disappointed the students and their parents in particular and the pub-

t large in general, said a Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) press state

t issued here on Monday.A Centre President Dr Sarwar Chaudhry, PMA Lahore President Prof Dr Yas-

Rashid, Vice president Dr Abrar Asharf, secretary Dr Tanveer Anwar, fi-

ce secretary Dr Kamran Saeed, Joint secretary Dr Salman Kazmi and PMA

tre Joint secretary Dr Shahid Malik jointly condemned the UHS entry test

alleged that UHS had played havoc with the future of candidates by commit

irregularities intentionally.

y said that UHS had changed the entry test 2008-09 results thrice and the

ent situation had the aspirants and their parents panic. UHS has become a

out of retired professors who are damaging the medical education of the coun-

they added. They urged the government to save the UHS from the corrupt

incompetent officials. They also demanded the government to terminate the

lts of the test and hold an independent enquiry into the issue.

Students demand end tBara operationPESHAWAR: Strongly flaying the ongoing military

tion in Bara tehsil Khyber Agency, General Secretar

ber Students Association (KhSA) Noman Afridi on W

day demanded immediate end to the operation an

killing of innocent people. This, he said, while addre

meeting held here at the premises of University of war, the general secretary of KhSA further said that

the military operation, the studies of the student

badly affected, as colleges and schools remained clo

the last one months whereas their precious time i

wasted. He added that the prime minister had ann

the promotion of education while on the other hand t

ernment was wasting the future nation builders tim

ridi stated that the Khyber students passed una

resolutions stating that the hostel and tution fee an

studies expenses of the affected students studying i

ous colleges should be remitted. The resolution also

that the operation affected students of Bara should

dorsed like the students of Malakand Division. He

ued that the annual stipends of FATA students espthe war affected zones, should immediately be en

that the FATA students could easily continue their s

Noman Afridi urged the NWFP Governor Awais

Ghani and FATA elected representatives to fulfill

fected students demands and warned that if the de

were not met, the FATA students would come out on

and the whole responsibilities would laid down ov

shoulders of the government machinery.

tudent throws shoe atMF chief in IstanbulANBUL: A Turkish student threw a shoe at International Monetary Fund

aging Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn on Thursday as he made a speech

tudents in Istanbul ahead of the IMFs annual meeting. Security guards

ged the student away after he threw a white sports shoe and rushed towards

tage. The shoe landed at the feet of Strauss-Kahn. Get out of the university,

f IMF, he shouted during Strauss-Kahns speech at Istanbuls Bilgi Univer-

A female student tried to unfurl a protest banner. Strauss-Kahn shrugged

he incident. I was glad to meet students and hear their views, he said in a

ement.

RAWALPINDI: College teachers vowed on Tuesday

allow ineligible and ineffectual monitoring teams to

their performance by paying surprise visits to educ

institutions.They said they would unanimously pass

demning resolution against the monitoring teams an

it to Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Shahbaz Sharif, Ch

retary Javed Mehmood and Secretary Edu

This decision was made in a meeting, chaired by

Professors and Lecturers Association (PPLA) City Pr

Prof Muhammad Ilyas Qurashi.During the meeting,

teachers were said they were astonished as to why th

jab government had constituted the monitoring teamprising inexpert and unqualified officers.

It will not improve performance of college teache

surely build unnecessary pressure on them, which w

their teaching skills and abilities, they

Prof Ilyas Qurashi said the Education Department

ready a sturdy monitoring system comprising five di

officials including principals and vice principals of co

district officer (DO), colleges, deputy district office

divisional director, colleges, to keep an eye on teache

He said monitoring of performance of college teacher

ough these teams actually indicated the distrust th

Punjab government had in college principals, vice pr

and DOs.

Teachers vow not to

allow ineligible team

inspect collegesNED admission tests on 4th

achi-The NED University of Engineering & Technology will conduct the pre-

ission entry test for the batch 2009-10 at the Expo Centre on October 4 at

0 am. The university has directed the candidates to reach the test venue by

am as there will be security checks at the gate on Sir Shah Suleiman Road

posite the Sui Gas Building) and that could take some time.

ents/guardians accompanying the students will also be searched.

university has further informed that October 6 will be an Open Day from

am to 1:30 pm and only the candidates who have passed the entry test and

r parents will be allowed in the campus. The admission will be on the pro-

ion of admit card for entry test and going through the security checks.students already enrolled in the university will not be allowed in on the

n Day and there will not be any public dealing on the day either. Class IX

lts in second week of October: Board of Secondary Education Karachi

EK) Controller Examinations, Kalim Asghar Kirmani has said that the re-

s of SSC Part-I (Class IX) science group annual examinations 2009 will be

ounced during the second week of October

10 school children hurt in mishapLAMABAD: A bus hit a school van at Eastern Bypass in Chichawatni on

esday morning injuring 10 schoolchildren three of which said to be in a criti-

condition. The injured children have been transferred to Tehsil Headquar-

s Hospital Chichawatni. According to a private news channel, negligence ofbus driver was the cause of the accident.


6/15


BZU announces result MA Pak StudiesLTAN: Bahauddin Zakariya University (BZU) has announced the result of M.A. Pakistan Studies

t-II (Annual System) 1st Annual Examination, 2008 held in April-May 2009. According to the result

fication issued on Monday a total number of 942 candidates including 370 females ap-red in the examination and of these 666 were declared successful with success rate of

54 percent

Karachi University LaunContinuing Education Program

Karachi-Department of Com

Science at the Umair Basha In

of Technology (UBIT), Univer

Karachi (KU) has lau

Continuing Education Progra

The courses in the programme

short duration for which the

can be obtained from the KU w

www.uok.edu.pk/ubit. Trainin

be offered in more than 20 disc

in Computer Sciences and In

tion Technology. Highly qu

and experienced teachers will

fering these courses, the cla

which will be held on the wee

Forms may be obtained fro

UBIT office or from the web

the university and may be sub

up to October 05, 2009. UBIT

man Dr. S. M. Aqil Burney h

formed that the vice chancell

inaugurate the programme

soon.

HORE: The Ali Institute of Education has scheduled its second International Childrens Film Festi-

from October 6, exhibiting 263 movies from 37 different countries over the course of six days.

m festival Director Shoaib Iqbal told that the festival was a unique event, adding its primary aim

to educate children on the art of filmmaking, its impact and its role as entertainment. He said the

ies premiering at the festival were all made by and for children from across the world. Iqbal said a

ndary aim of the festival was to promote filmmaking as an alternative source of learning and

ncourage local filmmakers to participate in the performing arts.

bal village: Iqbal said the event had been organised in collaboration with several international

eholders, including the Los Angeles International Childrens Film Festival, the Little Big Shots

rnational Film Festival for Kids, Kids for Kids International Film Festival, the Toronto Interna-

al Childrens Film Festival and the Prix Jeunesse Festival of Munich. He said people from across

world were participating in the festival, including children from Argentina, Australia, Bangladesh,

gium, Brazil, Canada, China, Ecuador, Finland, Germany, Hong Kong, Ice Land, India, Iran, Ire-

d, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Macedonia, Mexico, Mongolia, Nepal, Netherlands, Pakistan, Pales-

Poland, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Taiwan, the UK, the US

Vietnam.

for kids: While the show is made for, and by, children, the organisers have made it clear that it is

for infants and children under three would not be permitted to enter the auditorium. They said

e were more than 40 volunteers from various local institutions participating in the event, including

Ali Institute and the National College of Arts. Tickets for each show would be available for Rs 100,

y said, adding the festival would have four shows on each of its six days - two in the morning and

in the evening. The first morning show would start at 9:30am and end at 11:00am, while the second

w would last from 11:30am until 1:00pm. The first evening show would start at 6:00pm and end at

pm, while the second show would be from 8:00pm to 9:30pm.

edule: Pink Nanuq by Reutemann Jeanine; The Magic Stamp by Tomoko Oguchi; Broken Hill by

is Wyatt; Winter Rest by Radio TV Hong Kong; The Hungry by JD Imaya Vermin; Masherbrum Aurm by Armughan Hassan; Cravings by Jane Savlow; and Take It Or Leave It by Youth Visions Pales-

will be shown during the morning shows of the first day of the event. Space Mission by El Mate

ema Workshop; Confront Labels from Canada; Smart Machine by Jane Savlow; Cuento De La C by

nc Planes; Finding Elvis by Mna Clma; Snowing in Toronto by Sabestian Thomas Jagoe; After The

urn by Youth Visions Palestine; A Dream in Hanoi by Gerlad Herman; North Pole by Realizado Por;

e Out the Garbage by Michal Boreczex; Apons Bike by AFM Shipy; Folk Lore Rest by Tomoko Ogu-

Frogs, Toads and Love by Magie Kraisamutr; and Barbara Parks and Kalu by Naveed Anjum would

screened during the evening shows.

Afnan Khan

Peshawar- Wajid Shams-Ul-H

Pakistan High Commissioner

said in one of the interviews th

policy of visa, but system is

lemma therefore students are

difficulties in getting studenThe visa is either issued very

application is not acknowled

number of students are given

of refusal but most of the re

was beyond understanding. H

mentioned that another compl

is, caused by shifting the visa

to Abu Dhabi. He further men

that students are facing probl

filling out forms which is ba

Point System, which has r

been introduced by British

lates. The policy is not only fo

stan but it is for student all ovworld. When we spoke to th

dents they mentioned that U

office has become an earning

due to the heavy fee they charg

Student visa for UKNot policy but systemproblem- Wajid Pakis

High Commissioner fo

Pak-China Thin

Tank formed

Islamabad- First Pak-China

Tank was inaugurated at I

tional Islamic University Isla

Faisal Mosque Campus on 1

ber. China Ambassador to PMr. LuozHoi was the chief guePage 6


7/15


LTAN: Bahauddin Zakariya University (BZU)

announced the result of M.A. Pakistan Studies

t-II (Annual System) 1st Annual Examination,

8 held in April-May 2009. According to the result

fication issued on Monday a total number of 942

didates including 370 females appeared in the

mination and of these 666 were declared success-

with success rate of 71.54 percentKARACHI, Sept 30: The Private Schools Management Association on Wednes

manded of the Sindh government to take serious notice of the Board of Secondary

tion Karachis demand for exorbitant fee on various pretexts and the inordinate dannouncement of the science group results of Class IX annual

Accusing the BSEK of demanding exorbitant fees from those appearing in pract

ams, office-bearers of the association said that the fee for practical exams menti

the boards circular was only Rs55, but each student was being charged Rs820. Th

that students appearing in Class IX exams were being charged Rs620 and those

both Class IX and Class X exams combined were required to pay

PSMAs senior vice-chairman Sharfuzzaman and secretary general Mukhtar Ahm

shared these views with journalists at a press confe

They also expressed their concern over inordinate delay in the announcement of C

(Science) annual examinations-2009 results despite the fact that the current ac

year for Class IX students had begun six months earlier and their Class X annual

nations were only five months away. They further said that the board declared

students failed in arts and humanities groups, marking them as absent in some

though they did appear in the exams. When their parents approached the board othe latter advised them to file scrutiny forms rather than checking the attendance

The office-bearers of the private schools association held the BSEK chairman

brigadier Shafiullah responsible for the maladministration and urged the gove

place a senior educationist in his place to help streamline the affairs of the board.

Private Schools Management Associatdemanded BSEK chairmans removalSHAWAR: The Cadet College, Kohat has invited

ts old cadets and their families at the reunion

Sunday October 4, 2009 at the premises of the

ege at 9.00 hrs. According to a press release of

atians Association, the old cadets have been

ed to attend the reunion function along with

r families. The old cadets have been advised to

act on Cadet College, Kohat Telephone No.

29260070 or Ihsan Ghani Mobile No.

09048888 in case for further information.

Reunion of old students

GCU produces 4 PhDsLahore: The Department of Chemistry

Government College University Lahore

has awarded four PhD degrees in the

month of September 2009. The recipients

are, Dr. Farzana Bashir, Dr. M Ashfaq,

Dr. M Nadeem Asghar, Dr. Syed Tauqir Ali Sherazi. Their topics of thesis were

"Environmental Impacts of Reuse of Sew-

age and Industrial Effluents on Irrigated

Farmland", "Development and Validation

of Liquid Chromatographic Methods for

Anti-Hyperlipidemic Drugs in Binary

Combination", "Oxidative Stress Status

Evaluation at Chemical and Biochemical

Levels Using Novel/ Improved and Con-

temporary Methods" and "Development of

Inexpensive Proton Exchange Membranes

for Fuel Cells by Radiation Induced

Grafting Technique" respectively.

Girl candidates of

B. Com-I protestedKKUR, Sept 29: Girl candidates of B. Com-I protestedTuesday against a 40 minutes delay in receiving ques-papers of business statistics and mathematics in the

mination centre established at the Government Girlsgree College of Sukkur. ccording to angry students, noson was given for this inordinate delay from the

eduled time of 9am.However, sources said late

ival of the external concerned had caused theay. The candidates were expecting a compensa-

n of 45 minutes, but they were shocked when

external told invigilators to collect answer

ets 10 minutes before the closure time. No one

me to their rescue, they complained. Some girls

tested and asked for extra time to complete

ir paper, but the external did not budge an

h and the staff continued to collect their copies

force. The external also threatened some of the

testing students that if they did not keep si

t, they would be charged with copying, cheat-

and misconduct. The paper of business statis-

and mathematics paper is considered to be the

st difficult paper among B.Com part-I papers,the delay caused considerable agony and re-

tment. Invigilators informed the protesting

dents that the delay was caused due to the late

ival of the external and it was not their fault.

ny girl students were seen weeping as they

re unable to fully cope with the paper hours.

dam Aftab, who is in-charge of the examina-

n centre, first avoided listening to the students

after some time, she told them to contact the

versity authorities for this problem. A number

students came in contact with journalists on

s issue. This correspondent rang a number of

es Shah Abdul Latif University Vice-

ancellor Nelofar Shaikh on her cell phone, buted to receive an answer. Dawn

Students of Government College of Technology Railway Road protest against increase in fee outside the

Jalozai- Tariq Khahatak Federal Parliam

retary Oil and Gas has said that Internatio

college will be established in Jalozai. The

tion stone will be laid down soon. He m

that Law College and Engineering Univer

the gift to the people of Jalozai from the P

ernment.

Mankila- Punjab- According to detai

man of Sagri delivered Miss Asmia

dent) admission form to the unive

month late. This is commonly found a

to this matter number of students can

their letters and other important docon time. Neither AlAMA Iqbal Univer

Post Offices take any action against it

Negligence of Post Man: Stu

admission form delivered af

International Law Colestablished in Jalozai

Page 7


8/15

Education Watch ct~|t October 05, 2009 - October 12, 2009 e-edition Vol. 1 No.04Students are increasingly using brain-boosting drug

udents are increasingly using brain-boosting drugs and they're vir-

lly impossible to ban, an expert warned today. Drugs normally used

conditions such as Alzheimer's disease and attention deficit hyper-

ivity disorder (ADHD) are being used by students around the world

improve their academic performance. In some US universities, a

arter of students are reportedly using "smart drugs", and there is

ecdotal evidence of increasing use on British campuses. The Acad-y of Medical Sciences said last year that the use of medicines "off

el" is likely to rise.

he expectation that 'off-label' use will increase is borne out by exist-

advertising of cognition enhancers and smart drugs on the inter-

," it said. The use of the drugs in UK

ools and workplaces raised "many of

same issues as the use of perform-

e-enhancing drugs in sport".Vince

kic, from the department of psychology

the University of Sydney, writing in

Journal of Medical Ethics, said today

t smart drugs, or "nootropics", were

hly attractive to students and nearly

possible to ban.

gh school and university are the pri-

ry competitive spheres of many peo-

s lives, and ones that have significant

aring upon their lives, in terms of both

eer opportunities and future earning

acity. "The pressure to succeed aca-

mically is very real, and in a climate in

ich high-stakes public examinations

ve increased demand for private tuition, it is likely that all avenues

performance enhancement will be exhausted." He said the failures

d inconsistencies in the anti-drugs policy in sport could be mirrored

en it comes to the use of smart drugs in the academic world."If the

rent situation in competitive sport is anything to go by, any attemptprohibit the use of nootropics will probably be difficult or inordi-

ely expensive to police effectively." Cakic said that although smart

drugs had been shown to improve brain power by only a

amount, "it appears likely that more effective compounds wil

veloped in the future and that their off-label use will increa

said: "It is thought that future nootropics will encompass a w

ray of drugs that enhance memory, attention, alertness, mot

executive function, creativity or the need for sleep.

He added: "The possibility of purchasing 'smartness in a b

likely to have broad appeal to students." The drugs are avai

the UK but are prescribed for a range of medical condition

include donepezil (Aricept), galantamine (Reminyl) and rivas

(Exelon) for use in Alzheimer's, methylphenidate (Ritalin) fo

ADHD, the stimulant modafinil

colepsy and the amphetamine

drine. A previous report has id

27 major agents currently avai

the UK that boost brain perfor

including 10 dietary supplemen

17 pharmaceutical drugs.Cakic s

argument that these drugs sh

banned for non-medical use bthey offer some students an un

vantage is like suggesting priv

tion be banned.

The drugs might even level the

field for those who have been di

taged, he said. A spokeswoman f

versities UK said: "Currently, m

the evidence available on the

drugs such as Ritalin among stu

largely anecdotal."However, universities take the issue of dru

very seriously, and would have grave concerns about students

drugs not prescribed to them. Not only is this illegal but it als

health risks to those students. "All universities would adv

dents under pressure to seek advice from university counsellvices, welfare officers or their GP."

Best education facilities must forsocio-economic uplift: OwaisSHAWAR: Better educational facilities are also must to improve

io-economic life of the people, he said. He also noted with apprecia-

n, the enthusiasm of the students in getting admissions in this newly

ablished university and expressed the confidence that the intake

ength will be increased gradually to accommodate maximum candi-

es future. This was stated by the NWFP Governor, Owais Ahmedani while presiding over the first ever meeting of the Senate of the

dul Wali Khan University here on Wednesday. The Governor desired

t all concerned must extend whole-hearted and devoted support to

able it to achieve the set targets. While appreciating the achieve-

nts and working of the newly established Khan Abdul Wali Khan

iversity Mardan has said, the Institution needs immediate and prag-

tic approach not only to meet its infrastructural needs but also aca-

mic development. The university is situated at a highly suitable cen-

l place, providing easy access to the people of Charsadda and Swabi

particular and rest of the province in general and its completion on

lest scale will contribute a lot for future development of higher edu-

ion in the country especially in this region, the Governor said. Secre-

y to Governor Arbab Muhammad Arif was present on this occasion,

ile the members of the Senate, amongst others also include, the(Continued on page, 14 Click here )

Classes of Wali Khan Varsity idegree college Governmentcomes under harsh criticism iPA F.P. ReportPESHAWAR: Government on Wednesday came under harsh c

cism the treasury members on the issue of starting classes of W

Khan University in Government Degree College Shankar, MaMPA Imtiaz Khan Shagai on the first day of the current Prov

Assembly session moved Adjournment Motion demanding of t

ernment to start the classes of Abdul Wali Khan University to

other place. Imtiaz Khan Shagai said that the youngsters of S

have to go to Mardan City which is far from the area. He dem

to shift the classes of the university to some other place so tha

future of the youngsters could avail the facility of the college.

ply, Minister for Higher Education Qazi Asad said the classes

college were not started and the building has been given to th

versity for only four years after which it would be shifted to a

nent building. The minister suggested that in the meantime t

lege could be shifted to a rented building. Upon this the Parlia

tary Leader of PPP Abdul Akbar Khan who also hails from Ma

said that he has contested elections from the constituency of S(Continued on page, 14 Click here )


9/15

Education Watch ct~|t October 05, 2009 - October 12, 2009 e-edition Vol. 1 No.04The news behind tomorrows headlines

g{xEducation Watch ct~|tPakistans first newspaper dedicate to education

Editor - A.W.Khan

Co-Editor - N. Gillani

Vol. 1 No 4

E-mail [email protected]

October 05, 2009 - October 12, 2009

he Education Watch Pakistanis Pakistan's first newspaper dedicated to education. It

is a nonprofit and nonpartisan educational newspapactices educational journalism in the interest of the world in general and Pakistan in particular by reporting and collecting emerging educ

ews in the country. The Education Watch Pakistan watches national and global development in education and disseminates genuine as eful information to the all stakeholders . Our goal is to aware you about the happenings either positive or negative , taking place in the w

ducation in general and Pakistan in particular so that you could take informed decisions that will ultimately contribute in creating a better,nd transparent education system for the new generation.

Opinion

phrase that has been in use since the 1980s in both British anderican academia is Writing Across the Curriculum. This is the

ement that seeks to introduce writing in all academic disciplines,

uding sciences, computers, and arts, not just limiting writing to Eng-

or the socialsciences. It is done mostly by incorporating writing ex-

ses, such as keeping journals and completing writing exercises and

gnments in all classes, whether at the secondary school or college or

versity level. Writing across the curriculum would have great results

Pakistan if educators in the country decided to adopt the movement

their schools and universities, producing students who have greater

lity and confidence with the written word.

why is there a need to integrate writing into all areas of learning?

y should educators emphasize writing in disciplines that do not tradi-

ally seem to need it at first glance? According to Brenda Sully of the

ting Across the Curriculum project at Malaspina College in Britishumbia, Canada, communication skills, which include writing, are

cal in the workplace. A student who is proficient in writing is more

ly to get and retain a job than one who is not.

thermore, think of all the writing that is necessary in most jobs

e days: reports need to be written, memos circulated, ideas brain-

med and then captured onto paper to be disseminated to colleagues

superiors. The skill of writing is necessary whether you are an engi-

r, an architect, a social worker, or a businessperson, and if a young

duate does not know how to write well, he or she will be at a great

dvantage compared to his or her competitors. For Pakistanis this is

even more crucial skill as they prepare to enter workforces that in-

e communication with internationally-based counterparts and col-

ues, presenting papers at international forums and conferences, and

orting in written format (e-mails, memos, papers, etc.) to heads ofporations that may be situated in English-speaking countries.

dents need to develop critical thinking abilities the ability to solve

blems, examine ideas carefully (and) the ability to incorporate and

thesize information, as Brenda Sully puts it in her excellent Web

cle on Writing Across the Curriculum. Whether a student is strong

mathematics, biology, languages, or history, critical thinking is key to

student being able to be an active, rather than passive, participant

is or her own education. We all agree that in Pakistan rote learning,

he memorization of myriad facts and dates and numbers, is the way

roduce a generation of parrots who cannot think beyond what is

ght to them in the textbooks. What Pakistani educators need to do is

ture and develop critical thinking skills in their students in order to

ak out of the trap of rote memorization, which is about as useful to

dents these days as learning Egyptian hieroglyphics. Critical

The Need For Writing Across the CurriculumBy Bina Shah

thinking skills allow students to take what they have learngo several steps further with that information, manipulatin

their minds and applying it to situations that they will encou

further education and later on in their careers. Writing is ju

a way to develop these critical thinking skills, because wh

have to put your ideas down on paper and support them wi

dence and argument, you sharpen your ability to reason, to e

late, and to draw conclusions from the information presented

Writing exercises challenge students to go beyond what is pre

to them, and encourage them to come back with their own ide

thoughts, which they will then develop into well thought o

well reasoned arguments. No student comes into school k

how to write perfectly. Talk to teachers across the board an

will all agree that most students have problems with their w

that need to be addressed in the classroom. These problems, lined by Art Young and Toby Fulwiler in their book Writing A

the Disciplines: Research Into Practice, include:

Attitude (the motivation and interest of students) Mechanica

(spelling, punctuation) Organizational skills (how to piece

gether) Style (conventions appropriate to task and audience

soning ability (thinking, logic) Knowledge (something to write

According to Virginia Cooke, author of Writing Across the C

lum: A Faculty Handbook, students at the secondary schoo

also exhibit a lack of understanding what is expected of them

lege or university, poor vocabulary skills, and an inability to g

questions or analyze problems.

But writing across the curriculum can help with all these probA miracle cure? Of course not. A Writing Across the Curriculu

gram will simply give all students the opportunity to practice

writing at a deeper and more intensive level than the simple f

five minute period and related homework assignments of an a

English class. When students must write in a variety of settin

about a variety of topics, they are doing the writing equivalen

training for a sports event: they are exercising their muscles, p

ticing their techniques, drilling their skills over and over agai

they become used to writing, this discipline will start to becom

ond nature to them, and with most other disciplines, including

learning to play a musical instrument, learn the perfect serve

tennis, or perform quadratic equations, practice makes perfec

But not only will increased writing help students to write bett

(Continued on page, 10 Click here )


10/15


We dont need no educationBy Gibran Ashraf

Opinion

ile having a conversation with my relatives over the Eid, the topic

ng discussed was how the kids of today behave, as compared to the

lier generations. My cousin and my mother, both lamented the lack of

ental control over children of today and the general degradation of

etal values, which was blamed as reason for the current crop of mis-

aving children, whose solution to any problem was to flash the

ney no matter what the occasion, whether being held up by a cop for

ng too young to drive or having a concerned teacher on their backs

ing them to study and improve their grades.

n, however, the conversation reached the conclusion that as much

lt lies with the children, equal blame falls on parents and education

titutions. This conclusion had me wondering what purpose exactly

s the education institutes serve during their formative years. Re-

tly, there was a siege by parents against a school because the man-

ment decided to update the curriculum and started teaching the chil-

n of grade seven about the human anatomy and how reproductive

tem functions. This had the parents up in arms and cat calls of how

school had become un-Islamic. One can only wonder why the parents

protested about a school which was teaching simple scientific

biological facts. The education system in place for the younge

eration of the country is operating with primarily one goal in

training the students to get a job. There was a phase when be

ing an IT specialist was considered the best paying job, till th

ble burst at the turn of millennium. In the midst of this, nobo

noticed that instead of well rounded education, mechanised s

dents were doled out who were not taught, but trained into h

dling bank accounts, reading income statements and the like

Those days have long gone, when the education was about cr

good human beings worthy of honour and valour. Now, choo

subject apart from engineering, business or medicine as

choice while discussing with parents is nearly considered a

phemy. Students pursuing the subject of arts and literatu

frowned upon. While the media boom has given parents an

to look into this field for their childs future, they still seek ou

machines that would just turn their children into robots. It

portant we take a good hard look at our educational policies,

create and sustain a vibrant society. The News

The Need For Writing Across the Curriculum

help them to learn better. By forcing students to verbalize their

as consciously, instead of in a haphazard way (for example during

sroom discussions which can easily become random and disorgan-

), they become adept at understanding more complex thoughts, and

able to operate at a higher level of abstraction, as outlined by Vir-

a Cooke. Brenda Sully notes that this is especially important in dis-

ines where students are required to think through and evaluate

blems, such as physics and mathematics. According to Virginia

ke, "when we ask our students to write ... [we] are encouraging them

ngage actively with the subject matter in our disciplines: to see pat-

ns, connect ideas, make meanings - in other words, to learn.

ou want to start incorporating writing more into your classroom, you

have to think carefully about how you want to go about the process.

riting assignment should always satisfy the following objectives,

s Sully:

tudents learn something significant by doing it

hey are interested in the writing

he assignment is within their reach, and they can complete it with

information, time, and instructions at their disposal

he teacher should enjoy reading the results, and grades the assign-

nt using clear, consistent criteria

s take a look at how writing can help students in science. In science

ses, one of the main assignments in a science class is usually the

paration of a report after conducting an experiment in which writing

n obvious and necessary skill, but students are also often required to

d biology articles in order to go into greater depth about the subject

ng taught than what is available in a textbook. A biology teacher cangn a sample biology article to students, who would be required to

e notes, and then discuss the article does the paper adequately

t the requirements that the scientific community has outlined; does

llow the scientific method; what are the different parts of the article

what are their functions; what is an abstract; and so on. Students

then submit their own laboratory reports to the same kind of peer

ique. This type of exercise was outlined in Art Young and Toby Ful-

ers Writing Across the Disciplines; in following this kind of exercise

dents learn how to perform a kind of writing technique required by

discipline of biology, both by examining a professional sample and

n by writing their own reports. Furthermore, the biology teacher can

gn short writing exercises at different stages of the classroom biol-

experiment. Virginia Cookee gives us some samples of this:

aragraphs and short papers summarizing laboratory results, proce-

es and equipment descriptions; defining and or describing

specimens; comparing and/or contrasting taxonomic groups.

Short written exercises on Bio Abstracts, Science, Citation I

ERIC, and/or Index Medicus all of which are indexes.

Informative abstracts of scientific journal articles.

Written text to accompany graphs, illustrations, micrograph

Short evaluations of biology seminars, lectures, or texts to st

late short position papers by scientists.

Letter to the Editor for a scientific journal.

A short library research paper designed to give the student

ence in researching scientific literature, specifically Bio Abstra

and Science Citation Index, or a student proposal.

An original scientific research report designed to give the stu

an opportunity to conduct and report original scientific resear

Here are some examples of writing assignments in mathematiclasses by Diane Miller, author of an article entitled Begin M

matics Class with Writing: General Mathematics. You have s

the commutative property for addition and multiplication of re

numbers. Not all operators are commutative. If you were aske

explain to a friend why division is not commutative, what wou

say? Algebra. Suppose a friend asks you to check the answers

some homework problems. Would you mark the following prob

correct or incorrect. Explain why...(a + b) = a + b Geom

Suppose your younger sister or brother was working some pro

that applied the Pythagorean theorem, that is, a + b = c

working a few problems (s)he asked you, "How do we know tha

sum of the squares of the legs of a right triangle equals the sq

the hypotenuse?" What would you say? Although the space in article is not sufficient enough to go into the full methodologie

writing across the curriculum, you can see that there is a lot o

for including writing in all disciplines. For more information,

Internet is an excellent resource, and you merely have to type

Writing Across the Curriculum in an Internet search engine

many resources on the movement, its practitioners, and their

cesses and failures with these methodologies. Whether or not

agree, however, with the need to incorporate writing into all a

education, it is clear that writing is communication, and in tod

world, communication is key. Pakistani students need to learn

area of communication if they are expected to compete with th

global community both in the university and the workplace; w

give them all the skills they will need in order to measure up?

business terms, think of it as a sound investment in the workpand the workforce, of the future.P


11/15


fessional development training of teachers and teacher educators is

y important for school improvement. Well designed and carefully

plemented training programs certainly increase students learning,

ich is core of all educational activities. It is understood that one

d teacher holds the power to motivate, captivate and engage thou-

ds of students. But one ill-equipped teacher can send students outhe classroom disinterested, disengaged and disinclined to harbor a

sion for learning (Lederman and Monteagudo). Therefore, a huge

ount in educational budget in different countries is reserved for

chers professional development keeping the fact in mind that con-

uous and on-the-job support for teachers can make a difference is

ools. The purpose of these financial allocations and providing train-

is reasonable and appealing with the intention of improving quality

cation and visible improvement and change has occurred in the

ntries where training of teachers are well thought, planned and

plemented.

the educational context of Pakistan similar kind of perceptions are

nd and millions of funds by government education department, na-

nal and international NGO are spending on teachers development

he form of pre-and in-service training programs. Each year thou-ds of teachers are attending their PTC, CT, B.ED, M.ED even PhD

rses at national and international universities to improve teaching

d learning in the classroom. Along with that teachers are getting

aries ranging from ten thousands to sixty thousands rupee per

nth but when we look at their contribution towards school improve-

nt and enhancing students learning outcomes, it is not satisfactory

d teachers have to do more to compensate the salaries given to them.

eems a sweeping comment or judgment but sixty years of Pakistans

tory clearly tells us that our schools, colleges and universities un-

e to develop a single educationist, political leader, a transparent

d honest bureaucrat, an honest and straight forward religious

olar and a single sincere, committed hard working visionary teacher

o has a clear vision to lead this nation focusing the principles of Is-

m.

us think today, what are the reasons of this unfortunate situation

t teachers and educational leaders attending hundreds of trainings

unable to develop a thinking nation, what are the reasons of the

eriorating situation, why school performance is declining day by

instead of improving, teachers are de-motivated rather increasing

ir commitment and enthusiasm, students are losing their interest

ducation but the government of Pakistan and particularly ministry

ducation is still interested and satisfy on the existing education and

tern of teacher development programs. There are certain reasons

ich hinder quality education, school improvement and implementa-

n of training programs at school and classroom level.

ce 2004 I am working as a teacher educator and I have the experi-

e of working on school improvement project, conducted courses oncational leadership and management for school and district educa-

nal managers, led subject specific courses for teachers content devel-

ment and I found the following reasons of lower/less impact of our

nings on our education, school improvement and enhancing stu-

ts learning outcomes. Teachers motivation towards their profes-

n is very low. They take it as a source of income and do not consider

s an opportunity for learning, self development and nation develop-

nt. They think that attaining certificates and degrees is enough to

ome a teacher. They do not think for a longer period of time and

elop deep association with teaching professions which lower down

ir motivation for learning. As a result the outcomes of the trainings

limited with no impact on school development and enhancing stu-

ts leaning outcomes. To increase the level of

OpinionRe-thinking Education and Teacher Training in PakistanBy Babar Khan

motivation in teachers there is a need to develop such training

tems which ensure the implementation of learning and develop

ity people in teaching and learning who believe in lifelong lear

and are motivated in making difference.

Most of the people in Pakistan particularly teachers have for

the basic principles of our religion that advocates for honesty,

ity, commitment and loyalty at personal and professional lev

example, working as school improvement agent I found many

ers in the schools who do not develop lesson plan, reflect on

teaching, teach student regularly. I also found the teacher

outside the classroom, sun bathing while students are wait

them in class. Teachers usually claim that teaching is the prof

of Holy Prophet but our actions are contrary to that. We are in

in academic corruption which is more dangerous than moneta

ruption. Therefore, in the current situation of education and tr

we have to integrate basic principles of Islam with more emph

practical nature and there should not be difference in our sayi

doing. For example, teachers advise students to study hard bu

do not study for their own personal and professional develo

thus it must be mandatory for teachers, teacher educators, an

cational leaders to reflect on their practices on regular basis w

missing in our current education system and in teacher edu

programs

One of the major problems in our education and training is it

vance to real life. Most of the courses and trainings we offer

schools, colleges and universities have little relevance to our c

tual needs that what kinds of issues we have and how our edu

and trainings prepare our learner to confront these problem

different alternatives. For example, our university of Studen

graduating with little and sometimes no practical skills of the

sion they have studied, hence, I suggest to develop a system of

tion and training which prepare students by developing their

retical understanding and enhancing their skills of their refield through rigorous internship programs, for example, a stu

economics, finance must spent a considerable amount of tim

different economic and finance department before attaining h

degree. Similar is for teachers, lawyers and other professiona

will help them to understand the nature of the profession, th

identify issues and develop analytical skills and find out ways

dress them, once they join a profession for a longer time.

Another area which has higher importance and pressing issues

education and training in Pakistan is the links between know

skills and attitude. Teachers offer a great contribution in te

knowledge but do not create opportunities to use the learned

edge in their practical life. Similarly attitudinal development

dents is mostly disappear in the our teaching and learning pro

where teachers need to sensitize students that how they catheir learning for the betterment of human beings, protect un

and resources to get maximum benefits.

Reflecting on the current situation thoroughly, all stakeholder

to rethink on our education system and teachers training in

stan, explore alternatives and identify strategies that are mor

vant and appealing to our contexts, which enable us to resolv

textual issues and problems. Teachers can play an important

national development because todays student are tomorrow

ers, therefore, in the context of Pakistan there is need to hire

people in education system and facilitate them with sound and

tive training at national and international development th

enable our future generation to stand on their own feet and

respectable life.

The writer is a teacher educator. [email protected] 11


12/15


hki-Balochistan- Government Isa High School Dock Noshki is

largest educational institute in the whole Union Council but it

does not have electricity. Children and teachers are badly suf-

ng due to it. Long time ago transformer was established but the

ials have forgotten about it. It is surprising that how the school

truction contract was done and planed without electricity! Theple of the area spoke to The Education Watch Pakistan and de-

nded not only to provide electricity but also to take action

nst the negligence.

o electricity in Government

a Chah High School Dock

Teachers will have different PPackage: Dr. Asrat HassanLahore- Punjab SES Teacher Association presented 11 points to the

mittee chaired by Dr. Ashrat Hussain Chairmain Pay and Pension

mittee. The 11 points are:

increased rent bill, separate pay scale system for teachers, promoti

every year, time scale, upgrade of all teacher cadre, Rs. 2500 medic

lowance, 50% increase in pension, Ramadan package, eid allowance

increase allowance, and grade 9 to grade 14 salary at least Rs. 30,0

member of the teacher association seems optimistic.

College Second Shift Close

Students are in trouble

Gujjar Khan Punjab- Government of Punjab opened education o

nity by initiating second shit at colleges. The initiation benefited

pecially the children of working class people but the establishmen

the second shift of Government Commerce College. The parents

students protested by going to press club of Gujjar Khan and de

CM Punjab to take action and reopen second shift.

aan- AJK- Teacher Organization Sadhoti blackmails the divi-

director and district office for its personal interests. Teachers

not participate in protest planned in Palndari because the pro-

is not for solving teachers problem but for pressurizing the

sion officials to transfer the employment of their relatives.

se were expressed by the ex-teachers Association Sadhoti

dar Abid Hussain Abid.

marily School Teacher Miss Ain Bin gets salary sitting at home

afferbad-AJK- Miss Ain Bin has been absent for one year from

ol but she has been receiving salary for it. This was reported to

h official but neither was she was not transferred nor salary was

ped. Sources further said that she belongs to influential family

efore no action is taken against her. Due to this children are

ering.

Wafaq-ul-Madaris Annual Examin

tion: Mohammad Wasim got top p

sition in AJK

Muzafferbad- AJK-Wafaq-ul-Madaris Arabia announced its Ann

amination result of state of AJK. Mohammad Wasim from stu

Jama-Darull-Uloom Islamia Doomail got top position, Mohammad

from Jama Uloom Mirpur second with 576 marks, and Mubshir

from Daruul-Uloom Bagah got third position.

re High Schools should be established in

ta Mohammad Balochistan: Abdul Hameed

a Mohmmad- Balochistan- Abdul Hameed Jatakh Provincial

mber of Jamiat-Ulma PakistanBalochistan has said that govern-

t should increase number of high school in Osta Mohmmad

ping in view the increasing number of students. He also men-

ed that government should provide basic facilities to the other

ols.

Un Graded Teachers should be included inpoint promotion formula: Shamsher AhmaRawalpindi- President of Primary and Elementary Teachers Asso

Mr. Shamsher has demanded Education Department to inclu

grade elementary and primary teacher in 4 points promotion syste

also mentioned that CM Punjabs 2007 package for teachers an

grade teachers issue should be reviewed and taken into considerat

ig amount of money beingnvested in Higher Education

ommission of NWFPbala Gazi- NWFP- Provincial Minister for Higher Education

mmission Mr. Qazi Mohmmad Asad has said that big amount of

ney being invested in NWFP and 20 more colleges are being ap-

ded in the province.

further mentioned that building teachers colonies and establish-

modern libraries are also in our plan. He mentioned in his press

ference in Tarbala Ghzai.

Delay in Teacher Pension just because he la book of the college! This is Pakistan!Islamabad- People who have been involved in millions of rupees c

tion are sitting on high posts of the government. Many cases of m

of Rs. have been removed covering NRO curtain and now the

been given certificate of announce. But a professor who inves

precious 35 years in educating nations children is not being p

pension because he lost a book of college! According our reporter,

fessor of Asgher Mal College Road filed a case to seek justice fro

preme Court of Pakistan. The professor completed his services a

retirement but his retirement fund was not released by the F

Department because he lost a book of the college. The Supreme C

Pakistan ordered the finance department to release his retiremen

In one of the remarks, Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry mention

this is an insult of a teacher who gave his 35 years of his life to e

the children but at the end he faces such kind of issues.

P


13/15

Education Watch ct~|t October 05, 2009 - October 12, 2009 e-edition Vol. 1 No.04Medical college at GB to facilitate local students

AMABAD (APP): Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) would soon have a 100-seat

ical College which would meet the healthcare needs of the far flung

s. Both male and female students of the area have to proceed to

r parts of the country to attain medical education which was not

putting an additional financial burden but also creating hardships

them, said Secretary Health and Population Welfare of Gilgit-

istan, Dr. Sohail Saqlain told APP Thursday. He said the formal

ouncement of setting-up Medical College at Gilgit by Prime Minis-Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani the other day has been praised and appreci-

by the residents of Gilgit-Baltistan. He said Agha Khan Health

vices Pakistan is collaborating with the Department of Health to

blish the College and in this regard, required documentation has

n completed. The actions required would be taken on fast track, he

ed. The Prime Minister also announced allocation of Rs. 870 million

the health sector in Gilgit-Baltistan, he added. Enumerating the

atives taken to improve health services in the area, he said around

doctors are being recruited for 50 far flung health facilities. Doctors

being given promotions and offered a handsome packages so that

primary health care could be ensured to the poor people who a

tled in isolated pockets. They are also being provided train

improve their skills, he added. Dr. Sohail said out of order

lances of the health department are being repaired and a new

to strengthen emergency services would provide incentives to

nurses and paramedics. He said two nursing schools have al

opened each at Gilgit and Skardu where besides giving stipen

2300 to students, transport, lodging and other facilities are avided during the two-year course. The courses at schools inclu

eral nursing, nursing assistant and midwives. The Secretary

new policy to procure drugs and medical supplies have been

duced, aimed at providing safe, efficacious and quality medic

the patients. He said focus has been given on good-governan

proper system has been adopted to ensure presence of doct

other supporting staff in the hospitals. Besides constructin

than 70 new health facilities, he said the existing units and h

at all districts of GB are also being upgraded so that maximu

ple could be accommodated.

achi- University of Karachi, Cheating mafia has established its

on BA and B.Com Supplementary Examination. Either invigila-

are involved or cannot help control cheating. This was discovered

he BA and B.Com supplementary exam. According to sources, Rs

0 to 10,000 is paid for facilitating cheating in the examination

er and around Rs. 25000 is paid when the candidate in given pa-

outside the center. When facilitated outside the premises, the

didates are taken to Majeed Hotel, Sufi Hotel, Gate No 5 and

teen of Computer Section. Other places are also used for this

pose. Recently a cheating case was found. The actual candidate

sitting in the examination hall, pretending to be doing the paper

reas before the time out the solved paper was sent in by some onem outside the premises.

ording to detail, B.Com-Cost Accounting paper was scheduled on

urday. A female candidate Rabia Alam seat No 32344 enrolment

COM/AIBA/84127/2006 was appearing for it. She was sitting in

examination hall but her paper was being solved by a boy named

(her brother), who was sitting in a Mehran car No Z-7014 near by

eed Hotel. Both were caught and handed over to the exam offi-

s.

pplementary Examination - Bachelor of Arts,

iversity of Karachi: Cheating Mafia Active

Islamabad- A delegation from Italy has come to Pakistan. In th

they met with Chairman Adnan A. Khowaja Vocational and Te

Education Commission. According to sources, Italy governme

provide 20 million Euro soft Loan to Pakistan. The money will b

in upgrading different vocational training institutes particul

NWFP.

Government of Italy provides

20 million Euro for Vocationa

Education

Islamabad-Alama Iqbal Open University offers courses from m

PhD. It offers courses in many other fields of studies such as

sciences, commerce and many more. Now AIOU is planning

training to 200 health workers. This was mentioned by Dr. Mo

Ul-Hassan Butt VC Alama Iqbal Open University addressing

seminar Health for all which was organized by E-Health Asso

Pakistan and Alama Iqbal Open University.

Alama Iqbal Open University

Offers Courses from Metric to

PhD. Dr. Mohmood-Ul-Hassan

Jand-Punjab-Local government has planned to establish Danish

system in Jand. The project will cost 20 corers and 225 acred land

been allocated for this purpose. According to spokesperson of loca

ernment, in Danish school system, 450 students will be involved;

and girls will have different sections. The school will have hostel,

block, library, mosque, auditorium sports complex, swimming poo

resentational quarters for the staff. All students will be from poor

economic background. All facilities will be provided for free. The p

of the area are very thankful to CM Shahbaz Sahreef and greatly

ciate his service to the nation.

Danish School System:Project Starts soon

P


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Education Watch ct~|t October 05, 2009 - October 12, 2009 e-edition Vol. 1 No.04NWFP Education department under fire

native Haripur district. He demanded investigation

the matter. PML-N's Inayatullah Jadoon suggested

chase of a computer with encyclopedia software instead

wasting millions of rupees on purchasing the set of

ks.

Acting Speaker, Khushdil Khan, who belongs to the

P, said he had also received a letter and copies of the

ks and asked the minister to explain the need to pur-

e the encyclopedia and whether it was authored by a

icular writer from Punjab. Elaborating, Minister

dar Babak reminded the differences between PTA and

PTC, saying that by improving teachers' skill and

ning, the department wanted to improve the educa-

al standards of students.

ping in view the silence of the mover, the chair asked

ul Akbar as to why he was confused over his own mo-

. "It's now the property of the House," said the mover.

chair put the issue before the House for voice vote,

ch was supported with "ayes" and the matter was re-

ed to the committee concerned. PML-Q lawmaker Za-

Shah's adjournment motion, seeking debate on the mis-

ble condition of IDPs in his area, was admitted for dis-

ion. PML-N's Pir Sabir Shah, independent lawmakerullah, JUI-F's Gulistan Khan and PPP-S' Sikandar

rpao supported the mover, asking the government to

ster IDPs and provide them the same facilities given to

rs.Independent MPA Javed Tarakai and Yasmin Zia

not press their call attention notices after getting as-

ance from ministers. Javed complained the government

harassing his supporters by transferring them to the

flung areas. The minister said such practices would no

er continue and relief would be provided to all those

had been transferred. Yasmin Zia demanded reopen-

of 54 girls schools in her constituency. The News

(Click here to go back to page-1)

Punjab government focusing on education

He said the project for provision of 60,000 computers to more than 4,000 sc

the province would soon be completed.

The chief minister said huge resources were being utilised for the uplif

health sector and provision of modern health facilities to people. He sa

conditioners had been installed in all the hospitals of the province while fre

cines were being provided to patients. He said rural and basic health centr

being upgraded and availability of doctors, paramedics, medicines and

medical equipment was being ensured.

The CM said a number of projects of infrastructure development were beinpleted expeditiously while besides improving the existing roads, new road

also being constructed. He said the largest subsidy of eight billion rupe

given in order to provide flour, sugar and other essential items to the

cheaper rates during Ramazan. Meanwhile, US Consulate Principal Offic

mela Conroy called on Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif on Frid

Various matters of mutual

Documents

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