The high-ups in the Ministry for Professional and Technical Training (PTT) and Capital Administrative and Development Division (CADD) have entered into a row over the administrative control of the educational institutions run by the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE), it has been learnt. Minister for PTT Riaz Hussain Pirzada has been lobbying for the control of FDE while top notch officers of CAAD are vying not only to defend the FDE but also reversal of the Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (FBISE) to its jurisdiction. Earlier, the FBISE was an attached department of CAAD but its administrative control has recently been given to the newly established ministry. A source privy to the developments taking place in both the organisations told Pakistan Today that Pirzada was busy in hectic lobbying to take over administrative control of FDE-run educational institutions while top guns of the CAAD were mulling counter moves.
Talking to Pakistan Today, CAAD Secretary Junaid Iqbal said the CAAD was established to look after the affairs of educational institutions and health department in the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), therefore, the FDE-run institutions should remain under its administrative control.
“Our version is clear. The FDE-run institutions are not parting educational and vocational training; therefore, there is no justification of their shifting to Ministry for Professional and Technical Training.” The secretary said instead of taking administrative control of the FDE, the FBISE should again controlled by the CAAD. Currently, the FDE is running 418 educational institutions, including 208 primary schools, 58 middle schools, 102 secondary schools, 20 higher secondary schools and 30 colleges. A source said FBISE Chairperson Shaheen Khan was behind the lobbying as the CAAD high-ups did not move her summary to Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani for extension while the FBISE was under the control of CAAD. Later, the prime minister gave administrative control of FBISE to the newly-established PTT, where Pirzada recommended Shaheen’s for extension in her contract.
Pirzada at a press conference some days ago had said that he would forward a request to the premier to bring schools working under the federal government under his ministry. The source said during the prime minister’s visit to the PTT expected today (Friday), the minister would give him a detailed presentation for taking control of the FDE-run schools.
On the other hand, the teachers of FG colleges have also demanded the government to give the FDE schools and colleges to the administrative control of the new ministry.
“The CAAD has virtually failed to address the issues faced by the teachers, as an incompetent officer has been given the task to tackle the matter,” said Prof Tariq of H/8 College.
He said teachers haD been struggling for the last one year for up-gradation in line with the package announced by the prime minister but the CAAD had failed to resolve the promotion-related issues.
Talking to Pakistan Today, Federal Government College Teachers Association General Secretary Prof Tahir Mahmood said due to the inefficiency of CAAD officers, anxiety was mounting again among the teachers’ community as the notification of up-gradation had sparked ambiguities. He said since the CAAD had failed to ensure effective performance, the administrative control of the FDE should be given to the newly-established ministry. “We are ensuring our full support to the minister for PTT,” he added.
