Latest news with #MuhammadSharif
See - Sada Elbalad
2 days ago
- Business
- See - Sada Elbalad
Three Winning Technological Projects at ICESCO Youth Training Program
Mohamed Mandour The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) concluded its program on training youth on setting up and developing small projects in the fields of technology and innovation in the Republic of Sierra Leone. The close of the training program, implemented by ICESCO's Science and Environment Sector, in partnership with the Eastern Technical University of Sierra Leone, was marked by the announcement of three winning projects, out of the 49 participating teams at the national level. During the two-day event, contestants presented their projects before a jury. During his remarks at the opening session, Dr. Muhammad Sharif, Advisor at the Sector of Science and Environment, stressed the importance of integrating the youth of the Islamic world in the fields of entrepreneurship, modern technology and innovation to contribute to achieving sustainable development in their communities. Winning first place, the Mamawa Muyengay Agric Business team presented their project to integrate and improve the living conditions of youth, women and the elderly in rural areas through building their capacities in the fields of cassava farming. The second place went to Mujehva Plastic and Sand Paving Enterprise, for their projects to recycle plastic to make sustainable pavements, while the third place went to MS Agro Rice Farming, a project dedicated to rice farming in inland valleys to promote best practices in the field of agriculture. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks News Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan Videos & Features Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream Technology 50-Year Soviet Spacecraft 'Kosmos 482' Crashes into Indian Ocean
Express Tribune
03-04-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Rising education costs burden families
The new academic year in Punjab is set to begin on April 7, while the results for annual exams from nursery to eighth grade will be announced today, April 4. Significant changes have been made in the curriculum, with textbooks for classes six to ten being replaced. For ninth-grade admissions, students will now have six group options including computer science, medical science, engineering science, agriculture, general arts, and beautician studies. However, a sharp increase in book prices — ranging from 100 per cent to 200 per cent — due to rising paper costs has made education unaffordable for many families. Parents are struggling with skyrocketing expenses, including tuition fees in private schools, uniform costs, and pick-and-drop charges. With Ramazan and Eid expenses just behind them, they now face the daunting burden of purchasing new books, stationery, uniforms, and shoes for their children. Private schools have increased tuition fees by 50 per cent to 80 per cent. In smaller private schools, the admission fee has reached Rs2,500, while a full set of textbooks costs Rs5,600, and notebooks cost Rs1,200. Mid-tier private schools charge an admission fee of Rs15,000, with monthly tuition ranging from Rs2,500 to Rs4,500. Elite schools have hiked their admission fees to Rs20,00025,000, with monthly tuition between Rs10,000 and Rs14,000. The cost of individual textbooks now ranges from Rs550 to Rs1,480, and each notebook costs between Rs150 (basic quality) to Rs500 (premium). Drawing books are priced at Rs1,209. School uniforms cost between Rs3,500 and Rs4,000 for girls and Rs3,500 for boys, while shoes range from Rs3,000 to Rs5,000. A full set of stationery costs between Rs2,000 and Rs3,500, and school bags are priced between Rs2,500 and Rs5,500. With the introduction of new textbooks, lower-income students are unable to reuse old books, further straining household budgets. Bookshops and stationery stores in Urdu Bazaar are overwhelmed with parents trying to buy essential supplies. Similarly, uniform and shoe shops are witnessing large crowds of worried parents. In government schools, the distribution of free textbooks has also declined, leaving many newly admitted students without study materials. Adding to the burden, transporters have raised school pick-and-drop fares, making education even more inaccessible for low-income families. Muhammad Sharif, a concerned parent, stated that the overall cost of schoolingincluding books, admission fees, tuition, uniforms, and school bagsnow ranges between Rs40,000 and Rs50,000 per child up to the fifth grade. "For parents with three or four children, it is nearly impossible to afford education under these conditions," he lamented. Educationists warn that school enrollments, particularly among girls, are likely to decline due to the financial burden. Azmat Ali, a local education activist, stressed that "education is the government's responsibility, and until every child receives free schooling, including books, uniforms, and transport, student enrollment cannot be increased." Teachers Basharat Iqbal Raja and Muhammad Shafique Bhaluwalia criticised the commercialisation of education, which has forced many parents to enrol their children in small neighbourhood schools instead of established institutions.
Express Tribune
11-03-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Ramazan ration distribution faces setbacks
Due to inflation, a record decline has been noticed in the distribution of free Ramazan ration to deserving families by philanthropists and social and welfare organisations during the current year. After a long time, inflation reached the country's highest level ever, which led to a 60 to 70 percent decrease in the distribution of free ration and Eid gifts. Many philanthropists and organisations that previously provided free rations to 100 families annually have now reduced this number to 25 to 30 families. Similarly, family groups that used to distribute free ration among 40 to 50 families have completely halted the distribution this year, opting instead to give small amounts of cash to one or two families individually. Social organisations have also experienced a record decline in Ramazan donations this year, forcing them to shut down their Ramazan ration programmes. Social organisations have also reported a significant drop in donations, forcing many to shut down their Ramazan ration programmes. A leader of a welfare group told The Express Tribune that they used to distribute ration packages containing flour, lentils, rice, sugar, and other essentials at a cost of Rs2,700 to Rs3,300 per bag. Last year, they had to reduce their distribution from 100 to 80 families. With prices now soaring to Rs5,500 to Rs6,000 per package, they have switched to providing Rs2,000 in cash to 100 families instead. Another social organisation leader said that their group, which previously served 100 to 120 families, has now been forced to reduce the weight of ration bags and limit support to just 50 families due to financial constraints. The decline in aid has severely impacted low-income families, particularly widows and orphans, who are struggling to meet basic needs. The heads of Al-Mustafa Trust, Sheikh Nadeem Shehzad and Secretary Muhammad Sharif, said that due to limited funds, they have reduced their distribution from 200 ration packs in past years to just 40 this year. If inflation continues, they may further cut down or shift entirely to cash support next year. In the Rawalpindi District Court, traditional ration distributions by the Salari Chamber and Advocate Qayyum Tarazi have also been reduced. The Salari Chamber has stopped its aid completely, while Advocate Tarazi has slashed distribution by more than 50 percent. Even government and political groups have scaled back their assistance. The Rawalpindi deputy commissioner did not distribute any free rations this year, and prominent parties like Jamaat-e-Islami and Awami Tehreek have also significantly reduced their aid. Widows like Sakeena Bibi and Khala Mukhtiyari expressed disappointment over the situation, stating that for the first time, they received no free rations from any source this Ramazan.
