Minister Education Punjab appreciates school department despite worst arrangements

Lahore: While denial the realities of worst arrangements during primary exams,Provincial Education Minister Rana Mashud Ahmad Khan has said that best arrangements have been made during 5^th and 8^th class examinations being held under Punjab Examination Commission.

He said that improvement in governmental steps is a continuous process which aimed at providing quality education to the students and bringing the education system of Punjab at par with international standard.

He said this during a media briefing regarding 5^th and 8^th class examinations at Directorate of Staff Development, here today.

Secretary Schools Education Abdul Jabbar Shaheen and Chief Executive Punjab Examination Commission Nasir Malik were also present on the occasion.

Rana Mashud told that 22 lakh students have participated in 5^th and 8^th class examinations this year and 12 thousand examination centers have been established for this purpose. He said that one lakh 25 thousand teachers have been deputed for supervising examinations. He said that this is a big exercise which aimed at holding examinations in a disciplined and transparent manner.

Rana Mashud said that government has held these examinations in a professional manner. He said that government has discouraged rote system and promoted creative approach among the students. He said that various steps have been taken for ensuring holding of examinations in a disciplined and transparent manner which included model question papers and issuing roll number slips online.

Education Minister said that proper packing of material and on time delivery of question papers have been introduced. He said that the printing cost of per question paper was Rs. 1.49 in the past which has reduced to Rs. 1.3.

He appreciated the performance of Schools Department which has organized examinations in a tight schedule. He said that due to government reforms, more than 11 lakh children have been enrolled whereas the attendance ratio has reached 93 percent which is best attendance ratio in the world. Rana Mashhood said that zero tolerance policy has been adopted with regard to corruption in Education Department and safarish culture has been discouraged.

Chief Executive Punjab Examination Commission Nasir Malik informed the media about various aspects of procedure of holding examinations.