Principals face action for poor results

The District Education Authority has begun action against principals of government high schools over poor student performance in the annual matriculation results for 2018.

The penalty in this regard is for the department to forfeit the service, increment and allowances to teachers and heads of schools.

The teachers’ association has objected to the penalty, arguing that the system should be changed as it was possible that students had not worked hard and there was no negligence on the part of the principal or teachers.

The Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education Rawalpindi announced examination results on July 21, revealing the poor performance of government-run schools in the district.

“We are compiling the data of 430 government high schools in the district and if the matric results are not good we will send the list of schools and teachers to the provincial education department for action according to the directives of the government,” education authority CEO Riaz Ahmed told Dawn.

He said this was government policy. The education authority has to compile data on schools with unsatisfactory performances in the district after the annual secondary certificate results.

Mr Ahmed said the government has asked the education department to improve the performance of teachers at government-run schools. The initial list will be sent to Lahore, and departmental action will be taken against those with 10pc results in this year’s matriculation examination results.

But Punjab Teachers Association President Sagheer Alam told Dawn teachers had tried to impart high quality education, and it was against norms to hold them responsible for poor results.

Teachers already work hard, and it will be difficult for them if the government deducts increments and allowances from their salaries, he said, adding that teachers also participate in polio vaccination and anti-dengue campaigns, among others.

“Instead of providing a better environment to students and teachers in school, the government has created problems for them. The new government should change the system and give some respect to teachers while improving the quality of education in government-run schools,” Mr Alam said.

The government should facilitate teachers and improve the missing facilities in educational institutions instead of taking departmental action.

FJWU students exhibit work

Students from Fatima Jinnah Women University’s (FJWU) masters and bachelors in fine arts programmes exhibited their work in the university’s Thesis Display 2018, which was inaugurated by National College of Arts Lahore Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Murtaza Jafri.

The exhibition showcased fine arts students’ creativity, innovation and professional approach. A total of 60 students from the masters and bachelors programmes participated to exhibited pieces from various disciplines, including textile design, printmaking and communication design.

Speaking at the event, Dr Jafri said the maturity of students’ work highlighted the contributions made by their teachers and the university’s dedication to its students by providing them with an ideal environment in which to groom their talent and creativity.

FJWU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Samina Amin Qadir lauded the efforts of the students, calling their efforts remarkable and their outlook unique and diverse. She said the university aimed to provide its students with market-oriented skills through practical work aside from the theoretical part of any course.

Published in Dawn, August 17th, 2018