Ending nearly three years of administrative uncertainty, the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) has finally received a permanent Director General, with Javed Iqbal Mirza officially assuming charge on Friday.
According to a notification issued by the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training (MoFEPT), the Prime Minister approved the appointment of Javed Iqbal Mirza as Director General (BS-21) of the Federal Directorate of Education following recommendations made by the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC). The appointment took effect immediately.
The FDE oversees more than 430 educational institutions across Islamabad and plays a central role in managing the capital’s public education system. Mirza steps into the position at a critical time, facing a range of challenges that require urgent attention.
Officials within the education sector say one of the most pressing issues is securing adequate funding in the upcoming federal budget for development initiatives, including the completion of missing facilities in schools and the construction of new educational institutions, particularly in rural areas.
Teacher shortages also remain a major concern. Around 1,300 teaching positions are currently vacant across FDE institutions. Authorities have already referred approximately 1,000 posts to the FPSC for recruitment, while nearly 250 elementary teacher positions still need to be filled.
Education officials have emphasized the need to improve academic standards and ensure quality education is delivered consistently across all schools and colleges operating under the FDE. They expressed optimism that Mirza’s extensive experience, including 15 years in college teaching and a decade in educational administration, will help strengthen Islamabad’s education sector.
In addition to addressing institutional challenges, Mirza is expected to support the ministry’s ongoing efforts to reduce the number of out-of-school children in the federal capital. Islamabad is estimated to have around 85,000 children outside the formal education system, although recent enrollment campaigns have succeeded in bringing thousands of students into schools.
Officials also noted that the ongoing project aimed at providing missing facilities to schools is nearing completion. However, a new development initiative is being prepared to cover remaining institutions, and the newly appointed DG will be responsible for securing its approval and inclusion in the upcoming budget.
Related: FDE Enforces Sweeping Security Measures in Schools
With his appointment now finalized, education stakeholders hope the FDE can move forward with greater stability and focus on addressing the challenges facing Islamabad’s public education system.
