ISLAMABAD: A parliamentary panel on Friday stressed the need for modern educational facilities in the rural areas of the federal capital.

The National Assembly Standing Committee on Federal Education and Professional Training at a meeting chaired by Dr Azimuddin Zahid Lakhvi discussed various agenda items, including the ongoing face-lifting and overhauling projects of schools and colleges.

“The committee members also noted that the schools in peripheral areas of Islamabad are deprived of the facilities being provided to elite areas. They emphasised on improving educational standards and ensuring equal opportunities for all students,” says a press release issued by the NA Secretariat.

During the meeting, some MNAs particularly PML-N’s Raja Khurram Shahzad Nawaz from Islamabad said the situation in the rural areas required special attention of the Ministry of Federal Education.

Lawmakers say ongoing projects focus on educational institutions in urban areas only

He said various projects were being executed by the ministry for enhancing the infrastructure and quality of education. However, these efforts would be worthwhile when the ministry provides equal opportunities to students in rural areas. He pointed out the lack of basic facilities and teacher shortages in these schools, which force parents to enroll their children in urban areas.

Mr Nawaz also mentioned his donation of land worth Rs10 million for the expansion of a girls’ school in his constituency, which is yet to be utilised.

The committee members expressed concern over the ongoing projects focusing on urban schools, neglecting those in the rural areas. “Within the ministry, it seems that there are two types of education systems in place - one for urban areas and one for rural,” noted a committee member.

Earlier, another MNA from Islamabad Anjum Aqeel Khan suggested that the committee members should visit schools and colleges to monitor the ongoing projects.

“We will assess whether the work being carried out aligns with the prime minister’s vision,” he added.

Earlier, the Ministry of Federal Education gave a briefing highlighting its role in the development and implementation of educational policies and professional training frameworks.

The secretary education said their mandate encompasses the advancement of educational quality, expansion of access and enhancement of vocational training programmes towards achieving national development objectives.

The ministry’s performance highlights included significant progress in curriculum reforms, educational accessibility, and skills development, underscoring its dedication to fostering an inclusive and progressive educational environment that meets the diverse needs of the nation’s workforce. The committee members said they were impressed with the briefing and also planning to visit these schools.

They commended the ministry’s recent four-month initiatives, particularly in aligning skill-building efforts with 21st-century competencies, curriculum and assessment reforms, infrastructure improvements and student support enhancements. They also noted the disparities in educational quality between schools within and outside designated sectors, calling attention to the need for equitable resource distribution.

The committee chairman stressed the need for enhancing the budgetary allocation to universities. He affirmed the committee’s steadfast support for initiatives poised to make a lasting impact on the nation’s educational landscape. He also lauded the establishment of IT labs and modern IT training.

The chairman reiterated the committee’s commitment to support measures that enable students to achieve their educational aspirations and contribute meaningfully to national development.

In addition, the committee stated that while the support provided from certain NGOs had been beneficial, it often lacked long-term sustainability.

Published in Dawn, August 17th, 2024