Punjab govt to launch schools for trans people, sportsmen

LAHORE, (NNI): Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif while chairing a high-level meeting on School Education Reforms Programme, directed that new mechanism should be adopted for the appointment of chief education officers (CEOs) in each district of the province.

During the meeting held in Lahore on Friday, the Punjab CM decided that schools will be set up for transgender persons at divisional level. Moreover, to promote extra-curricular activities, School Hockey League and School Olympics will be arranged annually so that children can excel in extra-curricular activities.

The CM ordered that the selection of CEOs, district education officers (DEOs) and deputy education officers (DEOs) at district and tehsil levels must be completed by following the comprehensive procedure. She added that selection must be done after test, interview, computers education exam and moreover, elected education officers will be given training from LUMS University Lahore.

Punjab Chief Minister was briefed about setting up of Punjab School Inspectorate Standardized Matric Exams Board which was aimed at managing all the affairs of schools. The proposed central body will be responsible for the development of curriculum, school development, teachers training, printing of curriculum, testing and assessment and learnings outcomes.

The CM warned that delay in delivery of textbooks to the government school children will not be tolerated, adding that provision of books to student must be finalized before May 2024. The CM was briefed that the textbooks will be provided in February of the next academic year.

On the occasion, Maryam Nawaz Sharif further said that educational facilities should be provided to special children in government schools in each district.

Maryam Nawaz also directed that character building classes of the students should be started in government schools.

During the meeting, CM was handed over a textbook on environment al pollution and climate change. Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Pervaiz Rasheed, Information Minister Uzma Zahid Bukhari, School Education Minister Rana Iskandar Hayat, MPA Sania Ashiq, Chief Secretary and other relevant officials attended the meeting.