CS calls for single board, collaboration with AKU EB to enhance education

Lahore: Punjab Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman on Friday expressed the need for a single board in Punjab and that work has already started on it.

The chief secretary said that there should be one syllabus where students can think and conceptually solve papers. He encouraged Aga Khan University Examination Board to step in Punjab Schools and collaborate with our local schools to bring education at a higher level.

He was talking at a ceremony held by Aga Khan University Examination Board (AKU-EB) in collaboration with the Punjab Daanish Schools Authority, titled "Excellence in Education - Project-Based Learning: Engaging Students, Empowering Educators," at a local Hotel in Lahore to recognise the principals and project coordinators for successfully implementing AKU-EB’s project-based learning programme.

The ceremony served as a testament to AKU-EB's commitment to promoting educational excellence through innovative approaches.

The chief secretary acknowledged the collective efforts of the teachers and recognising their pivotal role in shaping the future of Punjab.

During his address, he expressed his appreciation for the collaborative efforts of AKU-EB and Punjab Daanish Schools Authority in fostering quality education in the province. He emphasised the significance of project-based learning in preparing students for the challenges of the modern world. The Chief Secretary Punjab commended AKU-EB for their unwavering commitment and encouraged them to impact also the secondary and higher secondary school systems.

In the welcome remark, Dr Shehzad Jeeva, CEO Aga Khan University Examination Board informed the audience about the benefits of the project-based learning approach to make education more meaningful and joyful. In addition, Dr Jeeva highlighted the significance of assessing 21st-century skills through project-based learning and enabling students to become lifelong learners. He expressed confidence that the teachers of the Punjab Daanish Schools are now empowered to assess 21st-century skills and have also learned to successfully facilitate project-based learning in the classrooms.

Meanwhile, Muhammad Ahsan Waheed, Secretary School Education, expressed his full confidence in the innovative system of the Aga Khan University Examination Board and hopes to see the system flourish across Punjab.

The MD Punjab Daanish Schools Authority, Ahmer Mallick, shared his insights through a wonderful presentation to mark the milestones achieved by Punjab Daanish Schools Authority. In addition, he reflected upon the successful collaboration and coordination between both the institutions.

He highlighted the efforts made by the Aga Khan University Examination Board in their commitment to building the capacity of the teachers of Punjab Daanish Schools Authority in learning new pedagogy and assessing 21st-century skills, which is bringing benefits to students' holistic development and making classrooms more engaging.

The ceremony was marked by giving shields to the principals and the project coordinators for their outstanding efforts by the Chief Secretary of Punjab.

The ceremony was attended by several dignitaries from the public and private sectors, such as Naveed Shahzad (Additional Secretary Education Reforms, SED), Syed Aslam Mehdi (Executive Director, Packages Ltd), Arif Saeed (CEO, Service Industries), BoG Cadet College Hasanabdal, BoG DPS Lahore, Kingston School, Beacon House, FC College, LACAS, Ali Institute of Education, Bloomfield Hall, DHA Schools, Fauji Foundation, House of Juniors, SOS among others.