Islamabad: The Senate Standing Committee on Federal Education and Professional Training, led by Senator Bushra Anjum Butt, convened at Parliament House to address critical issues facing the education sector, including the passage of the Daanish Schools Authority Bill 2025. This legislation expands the Daanish Schools program nationwide, providing quality education to underprivileged pupils across all provinces.

The committee, including Senators Syed Masroor Ahsan, Falak Naz, Fawzia Arshad, Dr. Afnan Ullah Khan, Rahat Jamali, Kamran Murtaza, Khalida Ateeb, Gurdeep Singh, Azam Nazeer Tarar (mover of the Bill and Minister of Law and Justice), Umer Farooq, and Hidayatullah, along with officials from the Ministry of Federal Education and the Higher Education Commission (HEC), also approved the Fatima University of Sciences and Technology Bill 2025. This new institution aims to fill the gap in specialized higher education.

Concerns over degree attestation were also raised, with a case involving an employee with over two decades of service discovered to possess fraudulent qualifications. The committee instructed the HEC and the Ministry of Federal Education to establish a dedicated help desk to manage similar cases. A comprehensive report on this issue is expected at the next meeting.

The panel addressed the situation of Pakistan Madrasah Education Board (PMEB) employees following the board’s dissolution. Permanent workers are seeking promotions, while contract staff desire regularization. With the matter currently in court, the committee recommended accommodating all contract employees on compassionate grounds.

The Intellectual Property Organization (IPO) Ambassador briefed the committee on its role in intellectual property rights protection and promotion. The chairperson urged the ministry to integrate this knowledge into the school curriculum.

Amendments to the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) were discussed, with proposed inclusions of representatives from both the Senate and the National Assembly to its board, subject to confirmation from both houses.

Finally, Senator Hidayatullah Khan raised the urgent matter of increasing private school fees, which are becoming a burden for families. The committee will summon representatives from the Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Authority (PEIRA) for a detailed discussion in their next meeting.