National strategy stressed against coronavirus

LAHORE:Jamaat Islami ameer Senator Sirajul Haq has warned the government that in view of impending disaster from the coronavirus, it was no time to display hatred and contempt, instead the need of the hour was to unify and unite the nation to effectively ward off the disaster.

Creating a national strategy with the consultation of opposition parties was the duty of the government but sadly, the government sabotaged a golden opportunity of creating a national consensus by subverting the opposition’s sincere efforts, he said while addressing a JI sister bodies meeting through video link from Mansoorah on Sunday.

He said when the government was in deep sleep in the backdrop of growing calls from the world to chalk out a strategy, Jamaat Islami workers had already gone out in the field with relief supplies and protective gears for the masses and the health professionals with the help of Almighty and the people of the country. He praised the services of health professionals, doctors, paramedics and volunteers, urging them to fulfill their pledge not to let any single person die without help and food. He said over one hundred doctors from the platform of PIMA (Pakistan Islamic Medical Association), a JI-affiliated medical professionals body, were available round the clock online to help and guide the nation regarding the challenges of the coronavirus.

He warned the government that lives of doctors, paramedics and volunteers fighting with coronavirus in public and private sectors were in danger since the government had not provided them with protective kits, N-95 masks, gloves and other gear despite promises. He lamented that delay in protecting the frontline soldiers in the war against the epidemic proved the insincerity and failure of the government.

He stressed that the real energy of any country was its youths and human resources who could counter any disaster and calamity with their strength and commitment. He appealed to the nation to rebuild and restore their bond with Almighty to seek His help in empowering human beings to overcome the pandemic.

PHEC: As a result of collaboration between Higher Education Department (HED) Punjab and the American Board of Teacher Certification, an online teaching course is being offered to government teachers in Punjab.

According to a spokesman for the Punjab Higher Education Minister Raja Yassir Humayun, who is in the US these days, the free online training opportunity was tapped by the minister advising the teachers to enroll in this training programme. The initiative is an important step to improve the teaching quality and train the workforce to be on a par with international teaching standards. The minister said it was free only for teachers of public sector colleges and universities in Punjab, otherwise, there was a fee of around $2,000 per training.

The minister said the government wanted to produce quality graduates. Trained teaching staff is the need of the hour, he added. He said the government had a comprehensive plan to bring about reforms in the higher education sector.

The American Board of Teacher Certification is recognised in many countries around the world.