ISLAMABAD, Oct 15: National Commission for Human Development (NCHD) organized a Seminar on World Teachers’ Day at Pakistan National Council for Arts in collaboration with Ministry of Education and UNESCO.

Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani was the chief guest at the occasion. The theme of the event was “Role of Teacher in Nation Building”. Federal Minister for Education Sardar Assef Ahmed Ali, Special Assistant to PM on Social Sector Begum Shehnaz Wazir Ali, Unesco representative Dr. Warren Mellor and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Masoom Yasinzai also attended the function and addressed the gathering.

More 350 teachers from Islamabad also participated in the seminar. The prime minister paid high tributes to the teachers who, he said, played vital role in building a nation. He also shared memories of his student years with the audience.

On this occasion, the PM also announced other measures for the development of education which include changes in training pattern of teachers and a new incentives package for the teachers of Islamabad schools and colleges. He also directed Ministry of Education to attract quality individuals towards teaching profession.

He appreciated National Commission for Human Development for striving each year to celebrate the occasion with such ardent zeal in a traditional manner befitting the purpose of celebrating this day: to honor the Teachers and to ensure their growth and gain.

On this occasion, Federal Minister for Education Sardar Assef Ahmed Ali said that the government, in consultation with different stakeholders, has developed the National Professional Standards for Teachers. The program also developed a national framework for the accreditation and licensing of teachers. He stressed the need to develop a separate cadre of teacher educators and NCHD needs to work for improvement of training methodologies for introducing International Best Practices, by developing coordination and collaboration between different institutions involved in Teachers’ Training. NCHD is trusted to carry out this responsibility.

The Chairperson NCHD Ms. Nafisa Shah said that NCHD has advocated for involving a broad representation of stakeholders in policy making. We have received quality input from Teachers’ Unions and we are of the view that Teachers’’ unions must formally be included in development of education policy especially concerning areas of teacher’s recruitment, in suggesting disciplinary measures applicable to teachers guilty of breaches of professional conduct, and in safeguarding the rights of teachers in terms of ensuring better remuneration and working conditions for them.

The Chairperson NCHD said, “In its manifesto, Peoples Party Parliamentarians (PPPP) had pledged for the universalization of basic education, increased allocation to education, and achievement of Millennium Development Goals; and to enhance teacher's status through highest level awards, high public office, increased salaries, and up-grade of posts.”

She said following this vision, the coalition government has made remarkable progress in opening up its policy making mechanisms. However, the Federal Education Ministry and Education Departments of the provinces must regularly assess and revise teaching standards to ensure visible and crucial changes, in respect to teacher education, curriculum, teaching, and teaching practices.

She also told the gathering that NCHD has more than 16,000 volunteer teachers in both government and community schools. This year we hope to have 17,000 literacy centers throughout the country. The Director General NCHD made a presentation about NCHD’s achievements regarding literacy in Pakistan.