FDE, CRI to ink accord for quality education
By Bushra Rafique

ISLAMABAD—Federal Directorate of Education (FDE)and Children's Resources International (CRI) Pakistan will ink an agreement to improve the quality of education through teacher's training here on Tuesday.
The memorandum which is continuation of the public private partnership initiated in 2002 would expand the implementation of CRI's comprehensive child- centered Interactive teaching and Learning Methodologies Program to entire School district of Islamabad. The signing ceremony would be followed by a visit to partner classrooms to itness actual implementation of interactive methodologies and its results.
The occasion unfolds a new chapter in public private partnership as CRI with its Interactive Teaching and Learning program partners with another 281 FDE schools to make Islamabad a model school district in terms of quality education. Under program expansion and with the funding support of USAID, CRI Pakistan would take interactive methodologies till Grade VIII in existing partner schools and from Kindergarten to Grade V in 281 schools of FDE.
The expansion world has already started in 140 new schools with the training of more than 700 Grade I and Grade II teachers of these schools in integrative teaching and learning methodologies. This public private partnership with the financial assistance provided by USAID Pakistan in the next three years in aimed at improving the quality of education through teachers' training for the benefit of approximately 200,000 children in over 3,000 classrooms in Islamabad Capital Territory, Rawalpindi City District and Karachi City District, CRI would also equip these classrooms with active learning material.
CRI's efforts reflect on its commitment to support government of Pakistan's Education Sector Reform Agenda as CRI's teaching methodology has improved performance of children in partner schools making them confident and developing their critical thinking skills.
Local manufacturing of CNG kits to save millions: Jadoon By Adnan Rafique ISLAMABAD, Oct 2 (APP): Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Amanullah Khan Jadoon has said a saving Rs. 4000/- to 5000/- on local manufacturing of CNG kits was encouraging and would benefit the growing number of consumers in the country.
He expressed these views while presiding over a high-level meeting to review the updated performance in the oil gas sector, held at the Hydrocarbon Development Institute of Pakistan (HDIP) here Monday. The Minister said the government would encourage the private sector's investment in the manufacturing of compressor, cylinder and allied CNG equipment in the country in order to cut down the imported dependency.
He said that CNG stations' owners should employ educated and trained staff at their outlets aimed at ensuring full adherence to international safety standards. Jadoon said that tremendous growth of CNG sector has attracted Rs. 30 billion investment in the country besides providing jobs to thousands.
He said that increase in the number of CNG stations from 62, in the year 1999, to 1060 till date would be doubled in the next few years. The Minister said that start of CNG buses in the major cities would overcome the growing environmental pollution problem in the country to a great extent.
Director General HDIP Halal A Raz briefed the meeting over the updated performance of the institution which has been playing a significant role in promotion of oil and gas industry in the country.