LAHORE, Jan 5: The Punjab education department has developed a school manual, academic calender and a checking proforma to ensure systematic improvement in standard of education in public sector schools.

The department on Wednesday organized a conference to apprise EDOs, DEOs and deputy DEOs of the implementation of school manuals, academic calender and checking proforma in all elementary, secondary and higher secondary schools. The plan, launched with immediate effect, will formally be implemented from the academic session beginning on April 1.

Copies of the documents were distributed among the participants with a direction to give their copies to every teacher for proper dissemination and implementation of the plan.

Education Minister Mian Imran Masood asked every official to realize the commitment of the government and implement the new policy to ensure imparting of quality education in schools.

Acknowledging the education system of private schools chains, the minister said it was high time that the education department should also set direction and pursue its goals in a systematic manner.

In order to improve credibility of public schools, the government had given a free hand to the department to appoint EDOs and 16,500 teachers on merit. The remaining vacant posts of teachers would be filled on merit, too, he added.

Mr Masood said the government had taken a bold stand and appointed teachers on merit despite the fact that treasury MPAs and PML members made a great hue and cry for the reservation of quota.

After providing able manpower, the government launched the three-year Punjab Education Sector Reforms Programme and provided Rs150 million annually to each district for the improvement in buildings and furniture. It had also made arrangements for the training of all officials.

"After these initiatives, there is no reason that the public sector schools do not impart quality education to students," he said. The minister asked the EDOs, DEOs and DDEOs to show their abilities and ensure high enrolment and low dropout rate, and compulsory attendance of teachers in schools.

He said the EDOs should also pay surprise visits to schools. Earlier, chief minister's adviser Saadia S. Chaudhry said regular monitoring of the policies could guarantee their success.

Education secretary Shahid Rashid said the EDOs should disseminate the information about the new manuals. Punjab special secretary (school education) Imtiaz Tajwar said the manuals had been prepared by the department for the first time.

The department would organize workshops at district and tehsil levels to train officials for proper implementation of the policy. He directed the EDOs that they should make strict monitoring and eliminate the trend of disregard for duty among teachers.

He announced that EDOs would be transferred on the basis of their performance instead of tenure. Director Public Instruction (elementary education), Punjab, Jamil Najam also spoke on the occasion. Later, the minister distributed computers among EDOs for the automation of data.