PESHAWAR: Provincial Education Minister Faisal Khan Tarakai has announced that all schools in the province, including those in tribal districts, will be provided with furniture.
He emphasised the need to eradicate the culture of taboos and stated that, along with the provision of whiteboards in all schools, the provincial government will also supply free school bags to all children. A comprehensive procurement plan has been developed to facilitate these initiatives.
During the Education Department’s Good Governance Roadmap meeting, which he presided over, Tarakai highlighted the importance of maintaining an inventory of new and old equipment at the school, district office, directorate, and secretariat levels. Committees have been formed to ensure quality throughout this process. The meeting was attended by Special Secretaries of the Education Department, Education Advisor Mian Saaduddin, Director of Education Naheed Anjum, Director of DPD Muthar Khan, and other senior officials.
The Education Minister instructed that a centralised system and other methods should be considered to ensure the complete procurement process. He also specified that the supply of educational materials to merged districts and women’s schools would be prioritised in the first phase.
Additionally, Tarakai announced that IT labs will be established in all higher secondary schools across the province, with plans to extend them to high and middle schools according to policy requirements. He requested that officials prepare a business plan for outsourcing to be presented at the next meeting and encouraged various proposals aimed at improving educational quality and providing the best facilities for children in their local areas.
The Minister approved the extension of the ongoing admission campaign until October 15 and directed all District Education Officers to meet their targets and conduct an active admission drive around each school.
Regarding the new Education Department program, the Education Card, Tarakai stated that it should encompass all packages and be extended to all students across the province following the pilot phase. This Education Card will include provisions for free books, scholarships, monthly stipends, and other benefits.
He also instructed education authorities to seek immediate approval for the Parents ‘ and Teachers’ Council guide from the relevant forum and present it to the cabinet as soon as possible. All Parents Teachers’ Councils should be activated, and elections should be held for those whose members’ terms have expired.
Furthermore, the Education Minister emphasised that a plan of action should be prepared by the Education Department in every district for the organisation of sports tournaments, in consultation with the Sports Department, aiming to complete these tournaments by November.
In his briefing, it was noted that efforts have been made to ensure the provision of four teachers in each primary school, and the process of appointing teachers through the Educational Testing and Assessment (ETA) is nearing completion. Teachers will also be recruited with support from UNICEF, and 2,500 interns will be included in the system.
Tarakai directed that complete information about all teachers currently on deputation in various institutions or on extended leave should be provided, along with suggestions for their return to schools. He stressed the urgent need for teachers in schools, insisting that all deputations and leaves should be cancelled to address the teacher shortage.
Lastly, he ordered the installation of biometric machines to ensure the attendance of teachers and clerical staff and announced plans for ceremonies at all district levels to honour teachers who have demonstrated exceptional performance.
