By Hina Kiyani
ISLAMABAD: The Federal Directorate of Education (FDE), much to the delight of students, parents and teachers alike, launched ‘Lighter Bag Brighter Student’ policy on Thursday at the Junior Campus (I-8/2) of Islamabad Model College for Girls I-8/4. Under the initiative of ‘Books Free Bag for Primary Classes’ inaugurated here by Parliamentary Secretary for Education Wajeeha Akram as chief guest, the little souls would be relieved from the daily burden of carrying all their books to school and back home. The inauguration ceremony was attended by smiling and fresh faces as it certainly was a long awaited initiative and was warmly welcomed by all.
Speaking on the occasion, the Parliamentary Secretary urged the need to focus on quality education through the use of latest technology. Wajiha Akram also said that there was a need to pay special attention on teachers’ training. The students of primary classes will be given two sets of books; one will be kept at home and the other will be kept at school.
As a result, the little angels would no longer be overburdened by the heavy bags. All they would have to carry now is a bag containing two notebooks, a lunch box and a water bottle.
On the occasion, Additional Secretary Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training (MoFEPT) Mohi ud Din Wani recalled the spiritual bond with his teachers and urged for better relations between teachers and students. It was the responsibility of teachers to create and maintain a friendly atmosphere, he added.
Director General, FDE, Dr Ikram Ali said all institutes in Islamabad Capital Territory would be brought under the umbrella of this policy and eventually the rural areas would also be included. Principal of the college, Dr Firdous Zahra Bashir, thanked the guests for honoring the ceremony with their presence. She greatly appreciated the policy and called for its impact assessment in the future.
A student Meherwar Bakht of class 5 speaking on the occasion said she was very pleased by the initiative taken by the FDE. Not having to carry all her textbooks daily “Makes me feel lighter and brighter both mentally and physically,” she expressed joyfully.
