ISLAMABAD: The Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) and Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) are working together to mobilise, recruit, train and build the capacity of youth volunteers from students at public sector educational institutions in the capital.

A letter of understanding (LoU) was signed between the two organisations at an event on Thursday, held at the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training.

The event was observed by Minister for Federal Education Shafqat Mahmood, PRCS Chairman Abrarul Haque, Parliamentary Secretary for Education Wajiha Akram Khan, Education Secretary Farah Hamid Khan, Additional Secretary Mohyuddin Ahmed Want and others.

The LoU was signed by FDE Director General Zia Batool and PRCS Secretary General Khalid Bin Majeed. It will be effective for a three year term and may be extended by mutual consultation.

According to the ministry, the LoU aims to define a working relationship between the PRCS and FDE to mobilise, recruit, train and build the capacity of youth volunteers from among students at schools and colleges run by the FDE.

Willing, motivated and age appropriate students from FDE institutions will be enrolled as volunteers and members of the Red Crescent Corp with parental consent. The PRCS and FDE will facilitate each other with effective coordination for blood donation camps at all institutions, preferably higher secondary schools and colleges.

According to the LoU, the PRCS will offer basic first aid training to students and faculty at all registered institutions through a district first aid trainer. The organisations will mutually coordinate to organise cleanliness and hygiene drives, tree plantation drives, awareness campaigns, environment conservation activities, school safety programme activities and activities regarding youth as agents of change.

It said the FDE will facilitate the provision of venues for trainings and events organised by the PRCS and FDE.

“FDE in collaboration with PRCS will facilitate voluntary blood donation camps in order to maximise the blood bank capacity. The main purpose of these camps is to cope with natural and man-made disasters, thalassaemia, haemophilia, cancer,” a statement issued by the ministry said.

It said students of FDE-run institutions will be given the opportunity to participate in national and international events, trainings, demonstrations, workshops, seminars and camps. The PRCS will train teachers and students to prepare and respond to any emergency through disaster management techniques and will also provide internship opportunities in youth mentorship programmes within the PRCS organisation.

Speaking at the event, Mr Mahmood praised the initiative and said the LoU would provide a broad framework for cooperation between the two institutions.

In addition, the FDE also signed an LoU with the National Vocational and Technical Commission (NAVTTC) on Thursday to promote technical and vocational education.

The LoU aims to promote technical and vocational training among students of FDE-run educational institutions.

According to the LoU, the NAVTTC will conduct awareness sessions at educational institutions and provide human resources needed to conduct such sessions. The FDE will provide the venue for conducting awareness activities and campaigns and will ensure its institutions’ and students’ participation in planned activities.

Mr Mahmood said this project will benefit educational institutions, teachers and students in learning about the latest trends and opportunities in the technical and vocational education and training sector and will facilitate FDE students in their career choices because they will know the increasing importance of skills training in both national and international job markets.

The LoU will be effective for three years and can be renewed for a further term upon written mutual consent.

Published in Dawn, September 18th, 2020