OUR CORRESPONDENT/APP
LAHORE: Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat has ushered in a new era of transparency and quality in Punjab’s education system. In a bold move, the department exposed the previous government’s fake enrollment numbers and introduced mandatory National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) verification for all future admissions.
Reviewing the first 100 days of the current administration, Minister Hayat announced a historic achievement: 1.2 million students were enrolled after NADRA verification. This milestone was accompanied by the introduction of a new transfer policy for teachers, developed in consultation with educators to ensure transparency and benefits.
The minister also revealed a pilot nutrition program in Raiwand tehsil schools, with plans to expand it across Punjab. Emphasizing the focus on quality education, he mentioned that the school registration system has been streamlined and a modern monitoring system for educational institutions is being introduced.
In a significant crackdown on academic dishonesty, Minister Hayat, following Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s directives, dismantled cheating networks by installing cameras in exam centers, effectively eliminating the cheating mafia.
Financial reforms have also been a highlight, with the education department saving billions by ending the monopoly of certain paper mills on textbook publication. The minister proudly noted that for the first time, policy-making involves consultations with all stakeholders, ensuring that every decision has broad support.
In a move to embrace technology and enhance IT skills, Minister Hayat announced that the Google for Education team will visit Pakistan on June 17, offering IT-certified courses to 300,000 youths. Additionally, by next year, 20 institutes in every tehsil will provide technical skills training to the youth, opening new avenues for employment and innovation.
Acknowledging the significant financial requirements for education, the minister stated that a minimum of Rs. 1250 million is needed for education in each constituency. He emphasized the need for a strategic policy for better budget utilization and pledged comprehensive reforms over the next five years, aiming to make government schools the preferred choice even for bureaucrats’ children.
Minister Hayat’s open-door policy ensures that teachers and students have direct access to the education department, promoting an inclusive and responsive educational environment. The future of Punjab’s youth looks promising with these dynamic reforms focused on transparency, quality, and technological advancement.