The Punjab government has removed the birth certificate (B-form) requirement for admission to public schools in order to increase the number of new school admissions.
The provincial government demanded the provision of a B-form at the time of admission in October 2020 in order to computerise the data. The move, according to a government official, has resulted in a decrease in new admissions.
Pervez Akhtar Khan, the Chief Executive Officer of the District Education Authority (DEA) in Lahore, told the media that the department has withdrawn the ‘B-form’ condition and that it will no longer be necessary when children are admitted.
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Furthermore, the District Education Authority has planned to launch technical courses in vacant public school facilities with the support of the Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (TEVTA). The DEA Lahore is looking for information on vacant buildings in the provincial capital that could be converted into TEVTA institutes.
The Punjab administration has been working relentlessly to improve the quality of public schools across the province.
Dr. Murad Raas, Punjab’s Education Minister, started the ‘School Meal Program’ last week to address hunger and malnutrition among young kids.
With the help of Allah Wallay Trust and Honda Pakistan, the government is giving free mid-day meals to pupils at public schools as part of the programme.
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The Education Minister, speaking at the event, noted that a pilot project in this area, which began in November 2020, had yielded outstanding results. He stated that the programme would begin in 100 primary schools throughout the district.
According to him, the schools participating in the programme showed a 33 percent rise in attendance, as well as a 77 percent improvement in children’ health and BMI levels.