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Express Tribune
12-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
K-P government saves over Rs111 billion
The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government has successfully saved over Rs111 billion by maintaining fiscal discipline during the first three quarters of the ongoing fiscal year 202425. Figures released by the federal government reveal that K-P received Rs1,031.26 billion in total financial resources over the nine-month period. Of this amount, Rs824.86 billion came from the federal government under the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award. In addition, the province generated Rs46.20 billion through its own tax revenues and Rs40.17 billion from non-tax sources. The federal government also provided Rs120 billion in loans and grants, including Rs38.58 billion in loans, Rs54.99 billion in current grants, and Rs26.43 billion in development grants. During this period, the K-P government spent a total of Rs919.95 billion. Of this, Rs759.56 billion was allocated to current expenditures, while Rs13.75 billion was paid to the federal government for debt servicing (markup payments). Furthermore, the federal government spent Rs147 billion on development projects in K-P under the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP). Meanwhile, Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has taken serious notice of alleged irregularities in the recent screening test for school teacher recruitment conducted by the Educational Testing and Evaluation Agency (ETEA). He has directed the Chief Secretary to initiate a high-level inquiry into the matter. A formal letter from the Chief Minister's Secretariat expressed deep concern over reports of misconduct and a potential paper leak during the test held in Bannu on May 10. Initial findings revealed that several individuals were apprehended at a private guesthouse while the exam was still in progress. They were allegedly found in possession of test papers, bubble sheets, laptops, and scanning machinesraising serious questions about the integrity of the examination process. The Chief Minister termed the reported irregularities a grave violation of merit and transparency. He instructed that a senior officeror a committee of officersbe appointed to conduct a thorough investigation, identify those responsible, and recommend strict disciplinary action. "ETEA is currently overseeing teacher recruitment examinations across the province. Any malpractice not only jeopardizes the future of candidates but also erodes public trust in the system," the letter stated. The Chief Minister further directed that the inquiry should not only address the immediate incident but also assess systemic vulnerabilities within ETEA's operations. Legal and administrative action has been urged against any individuals or institutions found guilty of misconduct or negligence. Additionally, the Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education has been instructed to review examination arrangements across all districts, ensure robust monitoring, and improve coordination between local administrations and ETEA staff. A comprehensive report on the incident has been demanded within 15 days.
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Missouri lawmakers seek to restrict cell-phone use in high schools statewide
State Rep. Ed Lewis, a Republican from Moberly, chairs the House Elementary and Secondary Education committee (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent). Missouri lawmakers are hoping to reduce cell-phone usage in schools with bipartisan legislation that would require school districts make a policy restricting mobile devices during instructional time. State Reps. Kathy Steinhoff, a Columbia Democrat, and Jamie Gragg, a Republican from Ozark, presented similar bills in the House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee Wednesday afternoon. The committee's chair, GOP state Rep. Ed Lewis of Moberly, also has legislation that is nearly identical to Steinhoff's. CONTACT US 'This is not a partisan issue,' Steinhoff told committee members. 'When you look around our country, there are eight states that have initiated some kind of restriction on cell phones already. Some of them are red states. Some of them are blue states.' According to Education Week, three states have a law restricting cell-phone use during instructional time, and five states have requirements that districts set policies restricting use. An additional 11 states have recommended policies and incentive programs for districts to establish restrictions. Steinhoff and Gragg plan to combine their bills into a version that recommends or requires school districts to set policies prohibiting cell-phone use during instructional hours while allowing exceptions, like for students who use a mobile device for health reasons. 'I do believe in local control,' Gragg said. 'I believe our school districts are all unique in their own special way, just like our communities are, and they need to make the policy that fits them the best.' Gragg said he heard from teachers that have cell-phone policies in their classrooms that test scores improved. Steinhoff, a retired math teacher, believes the bill will lead to 'better engagement.' 'As somebody who was leading a classroom just two years ago, I can attest to the fact that some of our students really are almost addicted to their cell phones,' she said. Administrators from the Cape Girardeau School District told committee members they established a zero-tolerance policy for cell phones in high schools in 2024. James Russell, assistant superintendent of academic services for the district, said it has provided a 'culture shift.' 'This year, after a full year of implementation at the high school, kids really came back ready to learn,' he said. Lewis said the districts who have already established the policies can assist others. 'We aren't going to be the ones that are going to be telling what policies those local school districts should implement,' Lewis said. 'We've already got multiple pilots around the state that are already doing this, and that's where they're going to get those pilot policies from.' State Rep. Ann Kelley, a Republican from Lamar, said the state should allow the districts leniency to create their own policies while giving support when needed. 'It needs to be in the school district's hands. It should not be the state dictating anything, just offering a suggestion that they have a plan in place and offering them that support,' she said. 'Because it is a big thing whenever school districts do this, and they get a lot of grief from parents and students.' State Rep. Kem Smith, a Democrat from Florissant and a former English teacher, said parents often have valid points, like security concerns in case of a school shooting. 'I've been on lockdown with students who have survived that, and their parents have wanted to talk to them while we were in lockdown,' she said. Gragg said schools would be able to decide 'what they feel is best for their community,' so cell phones do not necessarily have to be out of the students' possession. The committee plans to combine the three lawmakers' bills before voting to send them to the full House in a future hearing. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
