LAHORE: The Punjab School Education Department (SED) on Friday launched a monitoring system to ensure teachers’ attendance in all public schools, expecting to enhance the overall quality of education in the province.

The department has introduced a comprehensive monitoring system aimed at ensuring strict adherence to duty hours by school principals and teachers. This initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance the quality of education and maintain discipline within schools.

In a recent directive available with Dawn, the SED has mandated that all principals and teachers must strictly follow the duty hours as specified. To enforce this, officers from the department have been instructed to conduct surprise visits to various schools. This move is intended to ensure that the timings issued on Aug 11 are being followed rigorously.

According to the new orders, it is now compulsory for principals and teachers to remain at school until 2:30pm. The department has reissued the order regarding school hours to reinforce this requirement. This step is expected to improve the overall functioning of schools and ensure that educational activities are carried out effectively.

The SED has communicated these directives to all chief executive officers of District Education Authorities (DEAs) in Punjab.

The notification emphasises the importance of adhering to the school timings as per the previously issued orders on Aug 11.

The notification outlines that teachers are required to prepare lesson plans, engage in continuous professional development, and participate in academic and co-curricular activities during the extended school hours and on alternate Saturdays.

The SED has stressed that no laxity will be tolerated in the implementation of these directives. Officers have been tasked with ensuring that the instructions are followed in true letter and spirit.

The department has also highlighted the importance of disseminating these directions at all levels to ensure strict compliance.

The revised school timings, effective from Aug 15 are as follows: schools with single shift will observe timing from Monday to Thursday: 8am to 1:30pm; and on Friday: 6am to 12 noon; and double shift/afternoon from Monday to Thursday (morning shift): 8am to 12:30pm and on Friday (morning shift): 8am to 12 noon while afternoon/ evening shift) from Monday to Thursday: 1pm to 5:30pm; and on Friday 2:30pm to 3:30pm.

The teachers/ staff will observe timing for single shift from Monday to Thursday: 7:45am to 2:30pm and on Friday 7:45am to 12:30pm; double shift/afternoon from Monday to Thursday (morning shift): 7:45am to 2pm; and on Friday 7:45am to 12:30pm; while afternoon/evening shift will observe timing from Monday to Thursday: 12:45pm to 6pm; and on Friday 2:30pm to 6pm; and alternate Saturday: 9am to 12 noon.

interviews: The Punjab Higher Education Department (HED) on Friday completed the first phase of the interviews for the posts of Directorate of Public Instruction (colleges), chief executive officers (CEOs) and district education authority (DEA).

The interviews of DPIs, CEOs and DEA were conducted in the first phase.

Around 120 candidates for different posts appeared in the interview.

During the interviews, candidates’ administration, communication, IT, leadership and other skills were assessed.

Published in Dawn, September 14th, 2024