Islamabad: A meeting of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Federal Education, Professional Training, National Heritage and Culture, chaired by Mr. Muhammad Aslam Ghumman, convened at the Federal Board of Intermediate & Secondary Education (FBISE) in Islamabad. The committee deferred the consideration of “The Reservation of Special Seats for Deserving Persons in Universities Bill, 2024” to its next session, while recommending “The Nexus International University of Health Emerging Sciences and Technologies Bill, 2024,” with proposed amendments.

According to National Assembly of Pakistan, the committee established a sub-committee to provide recommendations on specific parliamentary questions raised by Syed Rafiullah MNA. Emphasizing prompt recruitment, the committee called for a merit-based appointment of a Chairman for FBISE and urged the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training to address pressing educational challenges. This includes appointing a regular Director General for the Federal Directorate of Education and resolving shortages of essential educational resources in schools.

The committee also recommended improvements in teacher recruitment and school infrastructure, emphasizing the need for a robust monitoring system. The Ministry of Finance was urged to allocate funds for rural school facilities, while the role of School Management Committees and teacher training programs should be enhanced. Proposed projects include libraries, IT rooms, and meal programs to bolster educational experiences in both urban and rural settings.

Furthermore, the committee requested updates on several issues, including changes in transport fees, the status of out-of-school children, and collaboration details with NGOs. The Higher Education Commission was asked to provide information on illegal campuses and e-education in remote areas.

FBISE’s presentation revealed that 648,154 candidates are registered for the 2024 Annual Examinations. The board outlined reforms focused on public facilitation and policy improvements, including the establishment of a technical wing and advancements in IT. Initiatives such as a computer-based examination system and the integration of Artificial Intelligence are intended to enhance examination processes. FBISE aims to continue these improvements into the 2024-2025 academic year, with plans for new programs in medical technology and technical education.