ISLAMABAD, Jan 13 (APP): Minister of State for Federal Education and Professional Training Ms. Wajiha Qamar on Tuesday highlighted the vital role of teachers in shaping the country’s future and reiterated the government’s resolve to bolster non-formal education nationwide.
She delivered remarks at the inaugural session of a five-day capacity-building workshop for 201 teachers of Basic Education Community Schools (BECS) from Azad Jammu and Kashmir, organised by the Directorate General of Non-Formal Education at the Federal College of Education, Islamabad.
Director General BECS, Haeed Niazi, welcomed the chief guest and participants and briefed the gathering that the Basic Education initiative has been serving underprivileged segments of society for the past three decades, enabling millions of children to complete their foundational education and move forward in their academic journey. At present, around 10,000 children, mostly girls, are enrolled in 201 community schools operating in Azad Kashmir.
The workshop has been designed to equip teachers with modern teaching methodologies and enhance their professional skills. Educational materials have recently been provided to students after four years, while this training is being conducted after a gap of eight years to further improve teaching standards and school performance.
In her address, Ms. Wajiha Qamar lauded the efforts of the Directorate General of Non-Formal Education and BECS under the leadership of DG Haeed Niazi, emphasizing that such training initiatives are vital to align teachers with contemporary educational requirements.
“Teachers are our greatest asset. You have travelled from Azad Kashmir to Islamabad, and after a long interval, this training is being organized. We are committed to making such programs a regular feature and ensuring they continue every year,” she said.
She assured the participants that the government would provide continuous support, including timely provision of Teaching and Learning Material (TLM) for students. The minister announced that an honorarium of at least Rs. 37,500 for teachers has been approved and will take effect from the next financial year.
Ms. Qamar reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that no child is denied education, stressing that teachers remain at the forefront of this collective mission. She assured educators that her office would remain fully accessible to them.
In her concluding remarks, she reiterated that training initiatives would continue in Islamabad and be expanded to Azad Kashmir, aimed at strengthening teachers’ professional growth and advancing quality education in every part of the region.