Minister claims improvement in quality of education

LAHORE:Punjab School Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat has said that within the first few months of his tenure, the quality of education in government schools improved to such an extent that these schools have outperformed private schools in the matriculation examinations.

Addressing a press conference flanked by Provincial Information Minister Azma Zahid Bukhari, he said that after five years, government schools have secured top positions in five out of nine educational boards, congratulating the people of Punjab for this success.

“Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has allocated awards totaling Rs250 million for the top-performing students”. He informed that during the matriculation exams, 270 cheating centres were identified and eliminated and a zero-tolerance policy was adopted for these exams.

Highlighting the success of the Daanish School, the provincial minister emphasised that the matriculation results were a testament to its excellence, countering its critics. He reiterated the government's commitment to transforming 'government schools into quality schools,' instilling public confidence and attracting even private sector students to public schools.

He mentioned that upon taking office, there was a shortage of 180,000 teachers. This deficit has been reduced to 38,000 through strategic utilisation of surplus teachers, with plans to eliminate the shortage entirely within three months. Additionally, 2,000 hidden posts in the School Information App have been uncovered. He assured that the e-transfer policy would be free from bribery or favouritism.

He said that in South Punjab, a foundational learning programme has been launched for 150,000 children, offering three-month technical courses to equip students with skills for self-sufficiency. Responding to media queries, the minister said that permanent vice-chancellors were being appointed through a merit-based selection process by a competent search committee. The government is also auditing past irregularities within university syndicates, he said and added private schools must comply with the new policies established for them.