ISLAMABAD - Federal Minister for Capital Administration & Development (CAD), Nazar M. Gondal, has urged for a more space and importance for cu-curricular activities in the academic calendar of public sector institutions in the capital.
He said it while addressing the concluding session of Poetry Recitation Competition amongst the colleges of Islamabad, held at Islamabad Model College for Girls (IMCG) F-7/2.
“Academic excellence, no doubt, is necessary and the prime responsibility of the students, academic institutions and parents, but co-curricular activities are exceedingly crucial for formation of a balanced human being. The purpose of education is not only getting good grades but also the making of a balanced, healthy and tolerant individual. Co-curricular, especially literary activities must be given more space in the academic calendar.
“We need to impart education that makes our students good human beings, first. Poetry energizes the soul and brings the good out of a person. It motivates and encourages the good part of man”, said Gondal.
The minister directed the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) to ensure that enough time and attention is given to make such healthy activities an integral part of the calendar of events.
The minister appreciated the college management and students for selecting nice poetry for recitation and was all praises for the legendry English poets, saying, “Literary activities provide food for the spirit and soul, and are thus very important for leading a normal life. The message and lesson contained in a short poem by a poet like William Shakespeare and John Keats could not be got from any other source. Poets paint a world through words; a world that is far better than the one we live in.”
Students from 13 different colleges participated in the event. The minister distributed prizes among the winning participants. He also congratulated the teachers who prepared their students for the competition.