PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Mahmood Khan has stressed the need for restructuring of higher education department and directed the authorities concerned to submit feasible proposal to this effect and complete restructuring process of Educational Testing and Evaluation Agency (Etea) as soon as possible.

He also directed the authorities of higher education department to complete the appointment process of vice-chancellors to public sector universities across the province within a month, according to a statement issued here on Sunday.

He issued these directives while chairing a review meeting of higher education department. Special Assistant to Chief Minister on Information and Higher Education Kamran Bangash, Higher Education Secretary Daud Khan, senior officials of Etea and others attended the meeting.

The chief minister termed Etea a credible testing agency for recruitments in government departments and admissions in educational institutions. He said that capacity of Etea would be enhanced on priority basis and all the required resources would be provided to it for the purpose.

Mahmood Khan orders appointment of VCs within a month

He directed the quarters concerned for timely completion of ongoing development schemes in higher education specially establishment of those colleges for which feasibility study was completed.

The meeting was told that more than 4,000 students were admitted in the second shift of nine selected colleges in the province in the session 2019-20 for effective utilisation of the available resources. Similarly, in the session 2020-21, total 3,280 students were admitted in the second shift.

The meeting was told that extension of second shift programme to other colleges was planned for upcoming session 2021-22 wherein second shift would be launched in 19 colleges of the province including six girl colleges.

Interviews of candidates for filling the positions of vice-chancellors in eight universities have been conducted whereas lists of eligible candidates to fill the positions of vice-chancellor in four other universities have been shared with the relevant committee for short-listing.

The positions of vice-chancellor for three additional universities have recently been advertised. The PC1 of all 68 ongoing development schemes of higher education department has been approved while approval of 19 new schemes out of the total 21 has also been taken and PC1 of two leftover schemes has been submitted to relevant forum for approval.

The meeting was told that according to the transfer policy of the government, 235 employees working on the same post for last two years were transferred whereas transfer and posting orders of 700 more such employees would be issued soon.

Published in Dawn, November 23rd, 2020