KARACHI, Oct 17: Speakers at a seminar, on Friday, called for adoption of innovative methods of teaching aiming at meaningful personality development of the youth.
The seminar on “Education” was organized by the Directorate of Education, DHA, at the DHA Degree College for Women. DHA administrator Brig Maqsood Hussain made the inaugural speech while science and technology minister Javed Jabbar presided over the first technical session of the seminar.
The two-day seminar aims to discuss different educational aspects in order to formulate firm policies for implementation in the educational institutions of the DHA. Various research panels, comprising senior faculty members of DHA educational institutes, divulged on issues pertaining to quality education that had also been haunting educational managers of the country as well.
The DHA has 13 English-medium and five Urdu medium educational institutions, engaging 900 teachers imparting education to around 16,000 students.
During the first session of the seminar, various panels led by Consultant Higher Education Dr Akhlaq Ahmed, Principal Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed College Lt Col (retd) Faizul Haq, and Principal DA Public School (O&A Level) Iffat Rashid, stressed the need to develop and keep teachers update in their subjects and suggested methodologies of teaching according to the prevailing environment.
The panels called for a paradigm shift in teaching practices so that teachers could act as facilitators to enhance knowledge. They stressed upon uniformity in syllabi; updating the contents of books, taught under different systems of examination; changes in lectures and laboratory practices; and use of information technology as per market needs.
While participating in the interactive session with the panels, students and teachers referred to some controversial and undermined practices, which were even witnessed at DHA institutions. The discussion turned the session into a stimulating and entertaining exercise.
In their queries and comments, the students and teachers pointed out some problems at DHA institutions. They suggested uniformity in syllabi at different institutions and establishment of separate educational board for DHA institutions, as according to them, some courses and exams pattern of the educational board were proving either obsolete or below the intelligence of DHA school and college students.
In his concluding remarks, Javed Jabbar appreciated the interactivity between the panels and audience and held that as course of self-appraisal. He observed that education had become a global phenomena, calling for a revolution in systems, both in developed and underdeveloped countries.
He said that the role of education in nation building could not be ignored and as such it must get the highest priority in national development strategies. He advocated for a homogeneous educational system as, according to him, it could guarantee a progressive and modern economy bringing opportunities for every section of population.
Earlier, DHA administrator Brig Maqsood Hussain said that the achievement of the highest standards of excellence in education was the most elusive issue of the contemporary times. He said that the promotion of education at all levels was the cornerstone of DHA’s strategic policy.
He said that unavailability of competent and devoted faculty was a major problem in imparting quality education and nurturing the personality and outlook of students. “The teachers leave a deep imprint on minds of students in their formative years of growth,” he added saying that teachers were trendsetters and perfect models for students.
