ISLAMABAD, Oct 7: Education Minister Javed Ashraf Qazi on Thursday said all federal government educational institutions in Islamabad will be made model colleges within two years.
He was speaking as chief guest at the investiture ceremony of the students council at the Islamabad Model College for Girls in F-6/2. "I intend to make Islamabad capital territory a model in terms of infrastructure and faculty development, to be followed by the rest of the country," he added. He said his ministry had asked the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) to work out a plan in this connection.
He said to hold classes in Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) and Bachelor of Computer Sciences (BCS), the FDE was preparing a summary to set up a separate college on an emergency basis.
"Whatever you need just tell me, we will provide you everything you require," he told the administration of the college. He appreciated the college for its achievements both academically and in co-curricular activities, adding, "I am really impressed with the college's achievements."
Addressing the new office-bearers of the students council, he said: "This is your first step to learn about the basics of democracy and you have to keep the promises made during your election period."
Education does not mean reproducing books and passing examinations but is development of a personality and leadership qualities, he added. The minister earlier administered oath to the office-bearers, various committees, class representatives and head-girls of various sections.
College Principal Ayesha Usman and FDE Director-General Maqsoodul Hassan also spoke. Talking to media persons after the ceremony, Mr Qazi said he had ordered setting up of a monitoring cell in the ministry.
The cell would closely watch various projects of the ministry and report back to the officials concerned. "I have also ordered the restructuring of the ministry whereby its departments and divisions of the same nature will be aligned to facilitate their functioning."
When asked about his proposal to induct primary teaching certificate (PTC) teachers in BPS-14 instead of BPS-9, he said the proposal had been forwarded to the finance ministry and the provincial education ministries for consideration.
"Since the FDE comes under the education ministry, we have introduced BPS-14 for the PTC teachers in the federal capital," Mr Qazi said. He added that the ministry was also in the process of reviewing the salary structure of teachers.
About the curriculum controversy, the minister said Islamiyat should have lessons on Islam, Urdu on Urdu, English on English and there should not be intermixing of subjects.
On Madressah reforms, he said in collaboration with the Wafaqul Madaris the ministry was providing all possible help to the registered seminaries. In response to another question, he said not a single penny would be given to NGOs as far as Madressah reforms was concerned. On the controversy regarding the Aga Khan Board, the minister said the issue had unnecessarily been played up by the media.