Note that about Rs 300,000 is spent on each trainee from the exchequer
ISLAMABAD:
The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Education on Monday raised concerns over the transparency of a state-funded nursing education program, questioned the financial and administrative crisis at the Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science and Technology (FUUAST) and reviewed the legislative framework governing the Cambridge qualifications in Pakistan.
The committee, which met at Parliament House with acting chairman Mahtab Akbar Rashdi in the chair, sought a detailed explanation from the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) on the selection of the International Center for Skills (ICS) as the implementing partner for the NCLEX Nursing Training Programme.
The committee was informed that the initiative is designed to prepare Pakistani registered nurses for international licensure and employment. However, the members expressed concern that the selection of 500 trainees had not been made public and that candidates were nominated by the Pakistan Nursing and Midwifery Council (PNMC).
Noting that about Rs 300,000 is spent on each trainee from the national exchequer, the committee directed the NAVTTC to submit comprehensive details on the selection of the implementing partner, nomination criteria and the program’s implementation framework.
The committee also expressed serious concern over persistent governance, financial and administrative problems at FUUAST. Members were informed that financial constraints had delayed the payment of salaries and pensions to faculty, staff and retired staff, creating administrative difficulties and employee unrest.
The committee criticized the university administration for not solving the problems and emphasized that the chancellor should actively engage the relevant authorities to secure financial support.
With input from APP
