ISLAMABAD, June 29: The Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) has decided to establish a permanent directorate for the Volunteer Talent Pool (VTP) scheme, under which poor students of federal and model colleges are given extra lessons free of cost.

Talking to reporters at the end of first VTP certificate- distribution ceremony, Prof Mohammad Rafique Tahir, the chief training coordinator, said the FDE had decided to make the scheme a permanent feature in federal schools and colleges.

An independent director will look after the VTP which will also be introduced in rural Islamabad next year, he added.

The VTP is the brainchild of FDE director-general Maqsoodul Hasan and is aimed at enhancing the skills of those students who cannot afford private tuition, Prof Tahir said.

Well before the start of summer vacations, the FDE asked its teachers to volunteer their services for the VTP. As many as 126 teachers responded positively and 80 of them were selected for the job.

Subsequently, more than 1,500 students of various schools and colleges in urban Islamabad were selected and taught in as many as 15 centres — eight for male and seven for female students. The teaching will continue for three years. Students are taught Mathematics, English, Chemistry, Physics and Biology by these volunteer teachers, he said.

Prof Rafique further added that the FDE was also planning to hold lectures and discussions to keep students abreast of the on- going developments at the national and international levels.

Earlier, speaking to the teachers who had volunteered their services for those students who were unable to hire tutors, the FDE director general said the main emphasis of the VTP scheme was to focus on grooming students in out-of-syllabus subjects such as the speaking power, literature and extracurricular activities like hiking and mountaineering.

He commended the services of volunteers for the noble cause.

CDA member (planning) Maqbool Ellahi who was representing his chief, Mir Laiq Shah, also appreciated the services of VTP teachers.

Later, certificates were distributed among the teachers.