‘WB scoping study aims at uniform education’

LAHORE
THE World Bank is working on a scoping study for designing a sustained public private partnership-based model for the education sector that could best serve according to the socio-economic and cultural needs of the society.
In this regard, a focus-group discussion was held at a local hotel here Friday with Managing Director (MD) of Punjab Education Foundation (PEF) Dr Aneela Salman in the chair.
PEF Programme Directors, including Maliha Batool and Samina Nawaz, besides World Bank team members Amina Mir, Neelam Ejaz, Haider Ali Daud Khan and Varda Malik attended the meeting.
A select group of PEF partner NGOs working in the field of school education in Punjab also participated in the discussion.
According to a handout, the meeting was told that the aim of this scoping study was to determine if non-profits, corporate sector and social entrepreneurs could join hands with the government to improve equal access to education for children in low-performing districts.
Dr Aneela Salman said the foundation had introduced many successful educational models by involving the low-cost private schools in different districts of the province. She hoped that the involvement of NGOs in promotion of education would give impetus to this noble cause and ultimately benefit the disfranchised sections of the society, besides helping to achieve the goals of ‘Parho Punjab, Barho Punjab.’
The meeting especially appreciated Punjab Education Foundation’s inclusive education and evening schooling projects for the needy students and termed them milestone in rehabilitating such children.
Dutch envoy: Provincial Minister for Minorities Affairs and Human Rights Khalil Tahir Sindhu has said there are friendly relations between Pakistan and Holland which are strengthening with the passage of time.
He was talking to the Dutch Ambassador to Pakistan, Marcel de Vink, at his residence on Friday.
The minister informed the Ambassador about the steps taken by the Punjab government for the protection of human rights and the welfare of minorities.
He also apprised the Dutch Ambassador of allocation of five percent job quota for minorities, remission for prisoners of minorities on the Easter and Christmas and other matters.
Marcel de Vink appreciated the measures taken by the Punjab government for the protection of human rights and welfare of the minorities and stressed the need for promotion of relations and cooperation between Pakistan and Holland in different sectors.
LGH: All the regular staff from grade 01 to 15 and staff nurses of Lahore General Hospital (LGH) will get honorarium in recognition of their extraordinary services during campaign against dengue and Youhannabad tragedy.
The Board of Management of Post Graduate Medical Institute (PGMI) and LGH gave approval in this regard in a meeting presided over by Chairman BOM General (r) Zia-ud-Din Khawaja here Friday. The meeting approved the recommendation by Principal PGMI and LGH Prof Anjum Habib Vohra about giving Rs2,000 each to 777 non-gazetted employees and Rs5,000 to 400 nurses.
The principal said such staffers who discharged their duties relentlessly during dengue crisis and Youhannabad tragedy must be encouraged.
Addressing the meeting, General (r) Zia-ud-Din Khawaja said the efficient and dedicated staff of LGH was the valuable asset for the organisation and such employees must be rewarded.
He expressed the hope that LGH staff would continue serving ailing humanity with same enthusiasm and devotion to ensure public health in the wake of coming season of dengue.