STAFF REPORT LHR: The Punjab Assembly has recently passed the Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC) Bill 2014 for the improvement and promotion of higher education, research and development in the province.
The passed bill calls for the formation of the PHEC while its members would be secretaries of the Higher Education, Agriculture, Health and Finance Departments, along with a nominee of the federal HEC.
The PHEC will function to bring provincial higher education institutions at par with both national and international standards. It will also coordinate with the federal HEC in a result-oriented manner. It will formulate and recommend policies for operation of higher education institutions in the province, in line with the standards prepared by the federal HEC.
It will also monitor, evaluate and advise on matters of performance and quality enhancement at the institutions.
The bill will provide treatment, will educate people and offer its services regardless of race, religion, ethnicity or financial status of patients.
During the assembly session, MPA Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan voiced reservations over the state of security in schools, adding that the society was living in a state of fear with the government further extending winter vacations.
He called for the formation of a parliamentary committee to look into the matter which was well received by the House.