The Punjab School Education Department reports a large step forward which is to simplify and at the same we are seeing that educational funds are put to good use. We have put in place a ban which does away with the presentation of flower bouquets and gifts during the official visits of education officers which includes the Secretary of Education.

In a review of which was done, we saw that schools were putting forward unnecessary expense on what is non-essential like flowers, decorations, and hospitality at the time of inspection. As per reports by officials this practice not only put a strain on school finances but also took focus away from the core issues that which required immediate input from the system such as that of student welfare and academic improvement.

The issue of the directive has gone out to all Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of Education in Punjab. Also reported that flowers and gifts are a thing of the past for school visits, in their wake we see a shift towards simple and efficient practices.

Official Notification Circulated to All Districts

In a letter to education officers which also went out to all school principals the Secretary brought to attention that we have had reports of excessive spending on hospitality which he said is a recurring issue in his school visits. Also reported was that this money could have gone towards basic needs like that of clean and safe classrooms, better quality furniture, teaching resources and also for students’ support.

The present policy requires that education officers, head teachers, and staff comply with the ban right away. Any case of extravagance or transgression of this directive will be taken seriously which may in turn lead to disciplinary action.

This policy is to put at the fore all resources we have for the students. Instead of into short term gestures like flowers or tokens of appreciation we ask that schools direct their focus to items which in turn will better education and well being of the children.

Focus on Simplicity and Student Welfare

The Secretary of Education put forth that the push is not to just eliminate waste but also to instill a culture of modesty and responsibility in educational institutions.

In the words put forth by the report schools are putting out of their small budgets to host officials. This not only depletes resources but also puts pressure on teachers and staff which also are at the same time dealing with financial and infrastructural issues. By doing away with these practices the department aims to reduce the pressure on schools and at the same time to see that funds are only used for growth of the students.

This initiative has won over education professionals and members of civil society which also is of the think that schools must stick to what they do best education as opposed to appearance.

Punjab Introduces School Meal Program

Along with the ban on flowers and gifts the Punjab government has also rolled out a School Meal Program in some districts which is a step against child malnutrition.

In a large scale roll out this program will see milk and biscuits given out in eight districts. Also as reported by officials the initiative is to begin with over 400,000 kids and we see expansion of the program if the project turns out to be a success.

The School Breakfast Program we have put in place to deal with issues of malnutrition and at the same time see improvement in students’ performance. We note that many of the children in our public school system come from low income families which do not always provide proper nutrition. We introduce also that by giving out biscuits and milk we will be improving their health which in turn will better their performance in class.

Tackling Malnutrition Through Education

Punjab’s initiative in providing school meals is a key step forward in this issue. In Pakistan malnutrition is a major issue which affects school performance, and in turn classroom performance we see that many children do not do as well in the classroom because of lack of proper nutrition.

Officials think that which is best for students is to have a basic healthy meal at school time which in turn will have them paying better attention, more energy and greater motivation. Also we see that well fed students do better academic and social performance.

The government will be very much at watch of the program. From the first phase which covered eight districts we will see which ways we go from here in terms of full scale implementation of the initiative.

Education Officers Advised to Ensure Compliance

The Secretary of Education has put forth that all CEOs and district level officers see to it that they comply with the new directives which is of a very strict nature. Also we see that schools are to avoid what is unnecessary in terms of spending at large and instead put that toward student centered improvements.

Education officers also have that charge of dissuading schools from display of extravagance. Also see them put forward resources to:.

• Classroom maintenance and cleanliness
• Learning materials and stationery
• Drinking water facilities
• Health and hygiene support
• Student welfare programs

A Step Towards Responsible Governance

In that which went out recently we saw the introduction of a ban on flowers and gifts and also the roll out of the School Meal Program which is a piece of a larger picture of what the government is trying to achieve in terms of responsible governance in the education sector in Punjab. What they did was to get rid of what may have been some superficial spending and put that toward what is basic student’s real needs which in the end will improve the quality of the public school experience.

Experts report that which is a part of a greater aim to put in place transparency, efficiency and accountability in the education sector. As the public pays more attention to how tax dollars are spent we see these as the elements which may in fact be the base for large scale improvements.

Reactions from Teachers and Parents

Teachers across Punjab have welcomed the decision, stating that it will reduce financial pressure and allow schools to allocate resources more effectively. A government school teacher in Lahore remarked:

“For years, we were expected to prepare flowers, refreshments, and decorations for official visits. This would often require pooling money from staff. The new policy is a relief, as now we can use that money for actual classroom needs.”

Parents have also shown appreciation, especially for the School Meal Program. Many believe that providing milk and biscuits will encourage children to attend school regularly, reduce dropout rates, and improve health standards.

One parent from Multan said:

“Most of us struggle to provide proper nutrition at home due to rising costs. Knowing that our children will get milk and biscuits in school gives us peace of mind and ensures they are not studying on an empty stomach.