Students still without books

Students still await textbooks in capital’s schools. —White Star file photo

Nearly one month has passed since the academic session began on April 1, 2015 but hundreds of students at Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) run schools are still waiting for their textbooks.

Like each year, students did not receive textbooks on time and so far only 20 percent students have received textbooks. A senior FDE official told Dawn on Thursday that the National Book Foundation (NBF) has provided about 82 percent of the books so far.

The official said that textbooks have been provided to almost all primary school students but the senior students still do not have books. “The Home Economics Books were changed last year by the Punjab Textbook Board but the Federal Board did not change the book. Now there is a shortage of the old book in the market,” he said.

The FDE has taken up the issue with the Federal Board of Intermediate. The NBF Secretary was not available to comment but an NBF official claimed on Thursday that the FDE’s textbook order has almost been completed.

“We have provided almost all required books, except General Science and Home Economics. I hope in the next two day, we will send all the books to the FDE,” he said.

He added that the FDE is responsible for immediately distributing the books, sent to them by the NBF, among the students.

Filmmaker interacts with media students

Eric Neudal, director of the film Lives worth Living which traces the history of American disability rights movement visited Riphah University Islamabad and interacted with media students. He discussed film making techniques with students and talked about the documentary filmmaking process.

Riphah Institute of Media Sciences and University of Southern California, Cinematic Arts School collaborated to organise the session. Mr Neudel gave insight on how he pitched the idea for Lives worth Living and the difficulties he faced during the process of filming the documentary. He highlighted the importance of documentary films in bringing about social change.

Mr. Neudel also gave some valuable direction and script writing tips to the aspiring filmmakers. He said that Pakistan is facing many types of social and political problems and there are numerous issues which can become subjects of documentary films. He said indigenous cultures create a powerful effect in film. Mr Neudel also discussed how the blend of emotion and intellect in the documentary production can create a powerful message.

Talk on women’s entrepreneurship

The Management Sciences Department at the National University of Modern Languages (Numl) organised a seminar on women’s entrepreneurship. The seminar was part of the series titled ‘Role of Women in Development’. Women entrepreneurs Quratul-ain-Rizvi and Zarish Zaman and development studies expert Dr Aisha Anees were invited as panelists. In her remarks, Dr Anees highlighted the role of academia in deconstructing “gendered perceptions” which confined women to the domestic sphere and discouraged them from participating in public life.

Addressing the questions from audience members, most of whom were students, Dr Anees said it was now time to challenge the biases which prevent women from setting up their own businesses. Ms Rizvi said one can successfully meet challenges, if they have a vision.

Published in Dawn, May 1st, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play