ISLAMABAD: Chairperson of the Senate Standing Committee on Federal Education and Professional Training Senator Bushra Anjum Butt on Fridayemphasized importance of addressing sensitive topics like reproductive health in a responsible and age-appropriate manner with students.Chairing a meeting of Senate Standing Committee on Federal Education, she stressed the necessity of parental involvement on this issue.

She passed these remarks during the committee meeting, as committee approved `The Federal Supervision of Curricula, Textbooks, and Maintenance of Standards of Education (Amendment) Bill 2024.

While acknowledging some reservations, she stated that the majority of members viewed the bill as timely and essential.

With six votes in favour and two against, the bill was approved by the committee.

Senators Afnan Ullah Khan, Syed Masroor Ahsan, Ashraf Ali Jatoi, Fawzia Arshad, and Rahat Jamali supported the bill while senators Kamran Murtaza and Falak Naz opposed it, citing cultural sensitivities, while Senator Khalida Ateeb suggested limiting its application to secondary education.

Meanwhile, the committee was also briefed on the case of Bahauddin Zakariya University (BZU) law students affected by academic transition issues.

Members were informed that most concerns had been addressed and exam schedules would resume by Sept 1.

Chairperson Butt reiterated the Committee`s commitment to ensuring timely accommodations for the affected students.

In the discussions on disability inclusion in private schools of Islamabad, the Committee called for strengthened infrastructure, such as accessible transportation and hearing support services.

Senator Bushra proposed integrating mandatory hearing screenings into newborn vaccination cards to support early detection of disabilities. The Ministries of Health and Education were directed to col-laborate and submit a joint report.

The committee also reviewed the School Milk Programme, which aims to combat child malnutrition. Concerns were raised over quality, sugar content, lactose intolerance, and real-time delivery monitoring.

Officials reported initial success in pilot districts, but the Committee urged a thorough review of its nutritional impact and sustainability, particularly in light of rising childhood health issues.

Additional discussion included accessible transport for students with disabilities, designated parking, and improving coordination between federal education institutions.

The committee expressed concern over persistent administrative challenges, especially at institutions like Federal Urdu University, and called for a standardised model for better governance across universities.

Meanwhile, National Assembly Standing Committee on Federal Education headed by Dr Azim Uddin Zahid Lakhvi also met on Friday, which covered several agenda items at the committee room of National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC), Islamabad.

The committee expressed its reservations on the process for awarding accreditation to various institution by NAVTTC, highlighting the shortfalls in the renewal, monitoring, and implementation and stressed the need for for immediate reforms and foolproof mechanism.

Members emphasised the need for stricter scrutiny of accredited institutions to ensure compliance with established standards.

On the matter of employee`s regularisation, the committee adopted a clear position that no employee should be excluded from the regularisation process.

This includes contract employees of the Pakistan Madrassah Education Board (PMEB) who have served for 15 years, dailywage teachers and lecturers in Islamabad model colleges and schools, and staff of the NationalInstitute of Science and Technical Education/National Skills University awaiting reinstatement or regularization.

Due to the committee`s persistent efforts, a cabinet committee has been formed to address these issues, which has now forwarded the matter to Parliament for necessary legislation.

The Department of Archaeology and Museums (DOAM) briefed the committee on its mandate to protect and preserve Pakistan`s cultural heritage.

Currently, DOAM maintains oversight of 407 nationally protected archaeological sites and monuments, with six located within the Islamabad Capital Territory. The department operates 14 museums across the country and maintains active partnerships with international bodies including UNESCO and the International Council of Museums (ICOM).

DOAM highlighted significant accomplishments, particularly the successful recovery of 1,125 illegally trafficked antiquities through coordinated efforts with authorities in the United States, United Kingdom, France, and Italy.

The department also reported substantial progress on key conservation initiatives,including the restoration of Rewat Fort and Shah Allah Ditta Caves.

Committee members unanimously affirmed their support for DOAM`s ongoing efforts, and ensured its support in addressing the institutional challenges of limited budgetary allocations for museum modernization and critical staffing shortages.

The committee also received a briefing on the Pakistan Institute of Education (PIE), which was created following Pakistan`s 18th constitutional amendment.

PIE serves as the central hub for education data management, performing three key roles: harmonizing provincial education data through its MIS wing, administering nationwide assessments, and generating research to guide policymaking. Staff Reporter