The SAEL Movement

Education Awareness

Seminar (Role of private sector in education betterment)

Background of the Seminar:

The Seminar ‘Role of Private Sector in Education Betterment of Pakistan” was held on 26th June 2003 at Alhamra Cultural Complex. The event was organized by the team of The SAEL movement with the twofold purpose of launching its “Teachers Training Workshops”, namely “STEP (SAEL Training Excel Programme)” and a useful debate cum discussion on the role required from the various significant channels in the education management and betterment in the country.

Need of such event:

The core theme of the event was to give an eagle view on the neglected areas that exist in our education system both in the public and private sectors. The private sector has always been considered as the powerful and the development catalyst of any nation, which makes a true picture in the recent scenario in Pakistan . Private sector has the credit to lead in activities that have not only increased our GDP, but is also playing a vital role in improving our education sector. We as SAEL movement are proud to take a prime move in emphasizing for a serious thought to solve the problems existing in the way of a progressive route of education. It was taken as a challenging idea to unite all the educationists and the people working already for the private sector together under one roof. We think, it was the true need of current scenario to join hands (of both sectors) for better future of Pakistan in respect to education development and enhancement.

The Speakers:

Mr. Khawaja Amjad Saeed , the former pro vice chancellor of Punjab University, who himself is considered as the institute of knowledge, discussed that these kinds of seminar will provoke the private sector and the Government to think and work together. “We are lagging behind just because of improper infrastructures and due to orthodox methods being used the years back” was the crux of his exciting speech.

Our second guest was the director of the British Council, Dr. Iftikhar Elahi , who is already working for the betterment of Education and awareness of British qualifications in Pakistan . This body has successfully introduced the foreign qualifications in Pakistan . He emphasized that there is a need of spreading awareness among private and public sector to think seriously on the new technologies and methods which are already implemented almost all over the World.

Mr. Munnoo Bhai , the famous column writer, said that he is not happy with the current situations prevailing in the current curriculum in our schools. He said, many people have taken institutions as a money making machines though it's a serious dedicated profession. A radical change in our curriculum was also emphasized in his speech. He appreciated the efforts of the SAEL Movement that are enabling such discussions to be organized.

Mr. Suhail Zafar , the regional manager of Edexcel Board (our next speaker) took his start by saying that he wanted the Pakistani government as well to think over all those issues for which students are facing problems in competing recognized qualifications, including GCE and GCSE exams. As in Pakistan Edexcel is the only regional body working for the A and O levels, there is a need for more institutes to work here. He said that he is happy for SAEL movement which at least has taken an initiative in this matter.

The next speaker was Mr. Iftikhar Randhawa , who is the convener of the technical committee of Skill Development Council (SDC), Lahore . He stressed upon the fact that there are a few institutions working for technical development side in private and public sector and that there is a big need for the government to take interest in manpower development and skills building among our nations.

Mr. Tajamal Hussain , Chairman of Skill Development Council, Lahore (SDC), discussed that we are happy to see the young people struggling for the prosperity of our country, in the education betterment and in creating general awareness in a strive to get attention and partnership of both public and private sectors. Mr. Hussain also happily announced the collaboration of the SDC and the SAEL Movement in launching the teachers training workshops. He stated the crucial needs and demands of such training programme to enable our teaching community getting the best skills that are existing in the UK . Ha also highlighted various other potential programmes undertaken by the SDC.

Mr. Muhammad Gouhar Iftikhar , (Corporate Coordinator – The SAEL Movement), the key member of SAEL movement and one of the organizer of the event, first thanked all speakers, audience, representatives of different academic institutes and representatives from different private organisations for their appreciation towards our goals and for the interest that they shown to make this seminar, a success. He quoted words of `the nation's founder taken as the vision of the movement, “the importance of Education and the right type of Education cannot be over emphasized. He stressed upon the issue that education is not merely mean academic education, there is immediate and an urgent need for giving scientific and technical education to our people so that our people could take part in science, commerce, trade and particularly to well plan industries. He also thanked SDC for extending its cooperation to work on the STEP (training programme). ICT (Information Technology & Communication), continuing the research for the need of making amendments in curriculum, assessment methods & techniques and a radical change in the education environment are the few future targeted areas for the organisation. He also stated that the education system in our country cannot be improved unless and until all related stakeholders (government, students, parents, teachers & educationists) are harmonized and synergized together. He also thanked all members of the movement, the volunteers and the internees to help and enable this event a wonderful success. A promise to continue working for such healthy and vital discussions was also made.

Mr. Imran Masood (Education Minister for Punjab ), our last speaker and the chief guest of the event, congratulated “The SAEL Movement” and the organizers of the seminar for arranging the successful seminar. Mr. Masood emphasized on the crucial issue of low rate of literacy and the drop outs in the primary level of education, as the challenges of the government. He also highlighted various significant strategies that have been undertaken by the current government to support idea of appreciating more private sector involvement in the current education scenario. He also appreciated the current role of the private sector with a stress for more cooperation and participation. Issues including a compatible and balanced fee structure in private sector and encouragement towards female education were also highlighted in his speech.

Acknowledgement of efforts:

The efforts of the volunteers were acknowledged in shape of shields distribution that took place at the end of the ceremony. The president of the movement (Mr. Muhammad Iftikhar Pirzada), together with the minister for Education (Government of Punjab) Mr. Imran Masood and minister for Housing (Government of Punjab) Mr. Syed Ali Raza Gillani gave the shields to fifteen volunteers who helped in the previous research campaign of the organisation (Spend 15 Minutes for a Better Future). All speakers and the chief speaker were also awarded with an acknowledgement certificates. The seminar ended with the high tea session.

Gained objectives from the seminar:

The objectives and goals that The SAEL Movement has achieved from the successful seminar relate to the importance and the demand of the time that these related sectors, private, public and the government should work collaboratively in future. The current and future projects of the SAEL movement will be further enhance the same idea that involves potential collaborations and work partnerships among different sectors. The SAEL movement will be also pleased to launch these kinds of seminars and talk forums in future and will always appreciate the related stale holders to work with it.