ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Federal Education and Professional Training on Tuesday directed that the best facilities for children with autism should be provided.

The committee, which met with Senator Bushra Anjum in the chair, besides other agenda items, discussed the education ministry’s proposal for establishing Autism Centre in H-9/4.

The meeting was told that the estimated cost of the project was Rs2,730.709 million, with a proposed allocation of Rs2,336 million for the fiscal year 2025-26. The project is expected to be completed within two years.

Senator Bushra Anjum Butt strongly emphasised the importance of providing world-class facilities for children with autism, citing the increasing prevalence, of the condition.

Chairperson raises concerns about quality of food being served to students at institutions

“Institutions for autism cannot fall below international standards, she stated, adding that, “we must ensure the best facilities and allocate additional resources if required”.

Meanwhile, the chair also raised concerns about the quality of food being served to students at institutions. Senator Bushra Anjum Butt sought detailed information about the menu and nutritional value of meals provided.

“Nutrient-rich food must be a non-negotiable standard,” she stressed, asking for a thorough justification of the dietary provisions.

The education ministry through a trust is providing free meal to students in Islamabad public schools. The ministry pays around 70pc to the trust while trust bears the remaining expenditure.

Meanwhile, the committee also discussed nationwide educational schemes. The committee was presented with a comprehensive update on several ongoing and new development schemes, including, digital transformation for employability in Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan with an estimated cost of Rs978.186 million. The proposed project for establishment of lab institutions in rural and urban areas was also discussed.

Whereas, a proposed project of introduction of school support specialists in 100 schools (entrepreneurship, financial literacy, climate change) with estimated cost of Rs423.469 million.

The committee also reviewed ongoing project titled ‘Enrolment, Retention and Progression of Out-of-School Children (OOSC)in Islamabad Capital Territory’ worth Rs978 million. The committee was told that this project was targeted for completion by June 30.

The committee was also briefed about the under-construction Daanish School in Kuri with estimated cost of Rs30,020.142 million.

Meanwhile, the committee deferred the private member bill titled, ‘The Federal Supervision of Curricula, Textbooks and Maintenance of Standards of Education, (Amendment) Bill 2024’, as the committee chairperson called for consultation with the Islamic Council of Ideology and directed that the final report be submitted within a fortnight.

The committee also directed the HEC and concerned universities and colleges to resolve issues of pending degrees.

It is relevant to note here that thousands of students are facing degree issues, as they had completed their education from unauthorised universities and colleges. The chairperson said that even students with no fault of their own had become unintended victims.

Published in Dawn, April 16th, 2025