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Scholarship funding to continue: Rabbani
KARACHI: Federal Minister for Inter-provincial Coordination Mian Raza Rabbani said Saturday that some anti-devolution and vested interests were unnecessarily creating uncertainty about the devolution process under the 18th Amendment and called it preemptive politics.Speaking at Karachi Press Club, he said that it was beyond his understanding why these elements are creating a scary situation particularly about the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and misguiding the media and the nation.
CM's Advisor Rashid Rabbani, CM's Special Assistant, Sindh PPP Information Secretary Waqar Mehdi and others were also present on the occasion.
He said the students going abroad on scholarships would continue to get funds.
Raza Rabbani said that the recommendations of Implementation Committee for18th Amendment for creation of the new body of HEC has been approved by the federal Cabinet and all apprehensions have been addressed in these recommendations.
Sharing the recommendations with the media, Raza Rabbani pointed out that the new regulation for HEC suggests that it will evaluate the performance of Institutions.
It will prescribe conditions under which Institutions, for higher and technical education including those that are not part of the State educational system, may be-opened and operated.
Similarly, it will set up national or regional evaluation councils or authorize any existing councilor similar body to carry out accreditation of Institutions, faculties and disciplines by giving them appropriate ratings.
Rabbani said the new body will be authorized to set up testing bodies or designate any existing body for the purpose.
It will also determine the equivalence and recognition of degrees, diplomas and certificates of Higher education awarded by institutions within the country and abroad.
The new HEC will develop guidelines for evaluation of performance of faculty members and Institutions.
It will collect information and statistics on higher education and Institutions as it may deem fit and may cause it published, and Perform such other functions consistent with the provisions of the Ordinance as may be prescribed or as may be incidental or consequential to the discharging of the aforesaid functions.
He said the Committee will certainly invite the universities and HEC whenever needed to get their input and guidance on the new rules. The new law will never be passed and implemented without their consultation and guidance, he reiterated.
Rabbani said the spirit of 18th Amendment is the reconciliation, dialogue and consensus building.
Dispelling the impression that devolution of HEC will devalue degrees, lower standards or discontinue accreditation, he said this is all incorrect and baseless.
Rabbani said that implementation committee was silent in its working, but he was forced to respond to some of the apprehensions and misgivings on the floor of the House.
He made it clear that no repeat "no" scholarship", inside or outPakistan will be affected due to the devolution process.
Rabbani said that the recipients of scholarships would continue to receive stipends and the foreign funding would be routed through the provinces to executing agencies.
He said that details about the foreign fundings, including the World Bank, would be made public in the Parliament.
He said the deficit of universities would be met by the Federal Government till the end of responsibility. Under a new formula, the funds will be provided to the provinces for onward distribution among the universities and HECs, he added.
Rabbani said that ten federal ministries and some functions of six ministries had been devolved to the provinces.
He said that the third phase of the devolution would be completed by April 20, when three more ministries including Environment, Sports and Women Division would be shifted to the provinces.
He said, "the Implementation Committee, formed under Article 270(AA) does not have any discretionary power. We have to ensure smooth implementation of the devolution plan only, devise administrative procedures and complete this process by June 30, 2011", he noted.
Rabbani said, "Whenever the committee devises rules and regulations for any ministry or body, it invites all the stakeholders for consultation and guidance".
He said that those creating uncertainties were in fact creating hurdles in the way of devolution. In my opinion, they are the last residuals of old system which is taking its last breath, he observed.
Courtesy www.geo.tv