NA body raises concerns over PIERA-Issued school leaving certificates, questions process effectiveness

National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee on Federal Education and Professional Training raised concerns regarding school leaving certificates, noting that they are currently issued by PIERA

ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 7th May, 2026) National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee on Federal Education and Professional Training raised concerns regarding school leaving certificates, noting that they are currently issued by PIERA. The committee questioned the effectiveness of this process, emphasizing that such certificates must be properly verified from the concerned educational institution before being issued.

The 22nd Meeting of the Committee was held under the Acting Chairmanship of Syeda Amnah Batool, MNA , Parliament House, here.

The committee highlighted an equally critical but often overlooked area: the ethical development of children in both government and private schools. It stressed that civic education should be made an integral part of the curriculum to instill moral values, social responsibility, and character building in students.

Earlier, the committee was informed that an online portal for private schools has been developed, and that annual fee increases will be strictly capped at a maximum of 5% to 10%.

Furthermore, unregistered schools have been identified and any school failing to comply with the rules set forth under the PIERA will be held accountable and face appropriate enforcement actions.

However, the committee strongly criticized that PIERA was expected to present a comprehensive strategy one that would not only regulate fee structures in private institutions but also propose concrete measures to strengthen the institutional capacity to effectively discharge its mandated functions.

The committee was further informed that eight international boards are currently operating in Pakistan. This was presented as a measure to foster competition and grant schools the option to choose a board of their preference, the committee noted that this approach also purports to address recurring issues of paper leakage.

The committee was briefed that multiple institutions including the Federal Medical College, Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal, Social Welfare Training Institute, Ministry of Human Rights, Legal Aid and Justice Authority, and the Tawana Pakistan Project occupied buildings belonging to the Directorate General of Special Education (DGSE).

In response, the committee expressed serious concern over this continued occupation, noting that these facilities must be reclaimed and restored for their intended use: supporting children with disabilities.

The committee further emphasized that such occupation undermines the very mandate of the DGSE. During the briefing, it was informed that letters have been issued to the occupying departments demanding vacation of the premises. To date, however, only the Social Welfare Training Institute has complied and vacated its allotted building.

The committee was informed that the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) has adopted a transformative strategy aimed at overhauling the country’s technical and vocational landscape.

Moving away from outdated, supply-driven models, NAVTTC has now adopted a paradigm shift toward demand-driven, industry-led, and outcome-based interventions placing employ ability at the core of its mandate. This includes a decisive transition from training-oriented approaches to employment-oriented execution.

To operationalize this vision, NAVTTC has introduced a range of modern training models and program methods, such as industry-led and business-led trainings, end-to-end program execution, targeted upskilling of underprivileged youth, international certifications, Pakistan Skills Impact bond, and fully digitized processes. Collectively, these initiatives are designed to ensure measurable, job-centric outcomes rather than merely certifying inputs.

The committee was briefed by the Inter Boards Coordination Commission (IBCC), a federal body operating under the Ministry of Federal Education.

The committee was informed that IBCC is mandated to coordinate with all educational boards across Pakistan and provide two core services: attestation of SSC (Secondary School Certificate) and HSSC (Higher Secondary School Certificate) documents, as well as equivalence certification for foreign qualifications.

During the briefing, the committee was informed that students seeking attestation of their educational documents have access to three distinct service channels. First, through a prior appointment system, which requires online registration and in-person submission. Second, through a courier service, allowing students to send their documents without physical presence. And third, through an express service designed for urgent cases.

Furthermore, the committee noted that the IBCC's service delivery focus is built upon three key pillars: ensuring the availability of multiple service channels to cater to diverse student needs, maintaining a transparent and fully digitalized system to enhance trust and efficiency, and achieving improved public service delivery as an overarching goal.

Furthermore, the committee expressed its appreciation for the initiatives, ongoing reforms, and the responsiveness to its recommendations demonstrated by the Ministry particularly through the IBCC, PIERA, and DGSE.

The meeting was attended by MNA’s including Syeda Amnah Batool, Mr. Anjum Aqeel Khan, Ms. Zeb Jaffar, Ms. Farah Naz Akbar, Dr Shazia Sobia Aslam Soomro, Ms. Mussarat Rafique Mahesar, Ms. Sabheen Ghoury, Raja Khurram Shahzad Nawaz and Ms. Mahtab Akbar Rashdi. The meeting was also attended by the Additional Secretary and officials of the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training, officials of Higher Education Commission HEC and other officers concerned.