FCCI brings education sector into fold to strengthen private schools’ voice: Mian Adrees

FAISALABAD, Oct 07 (APP): National Group Chairman/former president Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) Mian Muhammad Adrees said that Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FCCI) has brought the education sector into its fold as part of an initiative to broaden business community’s collective representation and provide a dedicated platform for addressing the longstanding issues confronting private educational institutions.

Speaking at a ceremony organized by All Pakistan Private Schools Alliance (APPSA), he said that the national group had distinction of introducing a new sector to FCCI every year, gradually strengthening the collective voice of business community and enabling it to receive greater attention at higher policy-making levels.

He congratulated Alliance Chairman Sadaqat Hussain Lodhi on his election as a member of FCCI Executive Committee and said that the chamber platform was being used to identify and resolve collective problems faced by the business community.

He said that excessive regulatory measures sometimes aggravated rather than resolved problems.

He said that FCCI’s role was not merely to identify issues but also to propose practical solutions, engage with regulatory bodies and take matters to the relevant authorities including the government on policy-related issues where necessary.

“We are not running the chamber by sitting in drawing rooms”, he said, adding that the FCCI leadership remained connected with the business community and would continue providing facilitation at every level.

Mian Muhammad Adrees said that several sectors including poultry, furniture and confectionery previously lacked proper representation and recognition but their inclusion on the chamber platform had enabled their issues to be highlighted and addressed through appropriate measures and policies.

He said that education sector was being introduced to the chamber platform this year, which would help address the sector’s issues while also contributing to the promotion of education, strengthening the national economy and improving people’s quality of life.

He urged representatives of private educational institutions to identify their problems and invite education officers, chairpersons of educational boards and other relevant officials to the chamber platform to facilitate their resolution.

The concerned officials could also be invited to meetings of the FCCI standing committees on education so that issues could be discussed directly with the relevant authorities, he added.

Speaking on the occasion, President Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FCCI) Arif Ehsan Malik described education as a sacred profession and said that people associated with the sector deserved the highest respect.

He said that although provision of education was one of the fundamental responsibilities of the government, the private sector was playing a vital role in complementing government efforts and expanding educational opportunities.

He stressed the need to bring education in line with contemporary requirements and called for greater emphasis on technical education as part of the curriculum.

He said that imparting practical and technical skills would enable young people to become job creators rather than merely seeking employment, thereby contributing to economic growth and creating additional employment opportunities.

APPSA Chairman Sadaqat Hussain Lodhi and former FCCI president Rana Muhammad Sikandar Azam Khan also addressed the ceremony and expressed confidence that FCCI platform would enable private schools to present their collective issues before the relevant authorities in a more effective and organized manner.