No security threat to educational institutions in Islamabad: Tariq

Islamabad

The Minister of State for Capital Administration and Development (CAD), Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, on Friday told the National Assembly that there was no security threat to the educational institutions in Islamabad but as precautionary measure, height of boundary walls of 46 institutions was being raised and it was at various stages of completion.

He told the National Assembly during question hour that the boundary walls of the remaining schools would be raised in the second phase of the Prime Minister Educational Reform Programme. In addition razer wire would be installed at these boundary walls.

He said he decided against unscheduled closure of schools in Islamabad last month after consultation with the Interior Minister.

The security measures for educational institutions include upraising of boundary walls of institutions, fixation of CCTV Surveillance System in all institutions under FDE, designed and developed Security Inspection Monitoring System (SIMS) for real time monitoring, analysis and reporting security inspection.

He said the government had also designed and developed Daily Visitor Invigilation System (DVIS) for Schools and Colleges. A total of 597 chowkidars are available in 422 educational institutions while recruitment against vacant posts of chowkidar is under process. Further FDE is also in a process to hire security guards from private security agencies till the availability of regular incumbents.

To another question, Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry informed the house that Rs180 million Prime Minister Educational Reform Programme (PMERP) has been launched in Islamabad to uplift standard of quality education and uplift of building and other facilities.

The details of PMERP include provision of missing facilities like Labs, Washrooms, Clean Drinking Water, Renovation of Classrooms, Boundary Wall etc., restructuring of Federal Directorate of Education, formulation of recruitment rules for teaching and non-teaching staff.

He said that under the programme there would be merit base recruitment of teaching staff, training of teachers, development of comprehensive training programmes for teaching and non-teaching staff. The programme would also envisage provision of 200 buses to schools and colleges under FDE.

In first phase of PMERP, 22 educational institutions have been selected. The Prime Minister of Pakistan has inaugurated the newly renovated Khaula Shaheed Model College for Girls, Punjgran, located in sector Nilore whereas work on remaining 21 institutions is near completion.

In the 2nd phase of PMERP, work on the remaining 400 educational institutions of FDE will be carried out.

He said the government had also notified Education Advisory Council, Academic Authority and Capital Curriculum and Textbook Development Wing. The government would also start Montessori Classes initially in five Islamabad Model Schools for Boys located in F-8/3, F-10/4, Sohan and Khana Dak and Islamabad Model School for Girls F-7/1.