NA body raises concerns over selection of 500 nurses for NCLEX Nursing Training Programme without advertisement

ISLAMABAD, Jul 06 (APP):National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee on Federal Education and Professional Training expressed serious concerns over the selection of 500 nurses for NCLEX Nursing Training Programme, noting that the opportunity had not been publicly advertised and that candidates had been nominated by the Pakistan Nursing and Midwifery Council (PNMC).

During the 24th Meeting under the Acting Chairmanship of Mahtab Akbar Rashdi, MNA at Committee Room, Parliament House, here, it sought an explanation regarding the selection of the International Center for Skills (ICS) as the implementing partner for the NCLEX Nursing Training Programme, said a press release on Monday.

While informed that the programme aims to prepare Pakistani registered nurses for international licensure and employment, the Committee sought clarification on its transparency.

Highlighting that approximately Rs. 300,000 is being spent on each trainee from the public exchequer, the Committee questioned the transparency and merit of the selection process. Seeking further clarity, the Committee directed the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) to provide comprehensive details regarding the selection of the implementing partner, the nomination criteria, and the overall implementation framework of the programme.

The Committee expressed serious concern over the persistent administrative and faculty-related issues at the Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science and Technology, observing that the prolonged failure to address these matters has adversely affected the University’s governance and functioning.

During the briefing, the Committee was informed that financial constraints had resulted in delays in the payment of salaries and pensions to faculty members, employees, and retired staff, giving rise to significant administrative challenges and employee grievances.

The Committee emphasized that it is the responsibility of the University’s leadership to proactively address these issues by engaging the relevant authorities and pursuing the necessary financial support. Members criticized the apparent lack of urgency in resolving the longstanding problems, warning that continued inaction on behalf of the Vice Chancellor of the University would further aggravate institutional instability and undermine the welfare of the University’s employees. To thoroughly examine the matter, the Committee decided to seek a comprehensive response from the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training through a detailed questionnaire covering the University’s financial, administrative, and governance issues.

The committee was briefed on the overview of the Inter Board Coordination Commission’s (IBCC) equivalence system for Cambridge qualifications and its regulatory framework for foreign Qualification Awarding Bodies (QABs) operating in Pakistan. The committee was informed that the process for converting Cambridge O and A Level grades into Pakistani SSC and HSSC equivalence, outlines mandatory subject requirements, grade conversion criteria, and application procedures, and highlights IBCC’s statutory authority under the IBCC Act, 2023 to regulate foreign examination boards. The presentation further details the 15 regulatory standards governing foreign QABs, covering governance, curriculum alignment, quality assurance, legal compliance, accessibility, and examination integrity.

It also notes that the Regulatory Committee has recommended the registration of Cambridge International Education as a Qualification Awarding Body in Pakistan for its Cambridge IGCSE, O Level, AS & A Level, and AICE Diploma qualifications, subject to compliance with IBCC regulations, prior approval for institutional expansion, and alignment of compulsory subjects with Pakistan’s National Curriculum.

The meeting was attended by MNA’s including Mr Anjum Aqeel Khan, Mr Zulfiqar Ali Bhatti, Ms Zeb Jaffar, Ms Farah Naz Akbar, Ms Musarrat Asif Khawaja, Syeda Amnah Batool, Mr Abdul Hakeem Baloch, Dr Shazia Sobia Aslam Soomro, Ms. Mahtab Akbar Rashdi, Ms Mussarat Rafique Mahesar, Mr Abdul Aleem Khan, Ms Sabheen Ghoury and Syeda Nosheen Iftikhar. The meeting was also attended by the Secretary and officials of the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training, officials of Higher Education Commission HEC and other officers concerned.