FAS has identified both qualitative and quantitative indicators to gauge the annual performance of a school. The qualitative performance is assessed through its Annual Quality Assurance Test (QAT) results. The quantitative performance is assessed through physical inspection carried out by PEF Monitoring Teams on regular intervals during the year and following are some of the standards that are checked during monitoring of schools:

1. 1. Student Physical Verification
2. 2. School Infrastructure verification
3. 3. Record verification
4. 4. Implementation of PEF Policies/ SOPs
5. 5. Money charging from students
6. 6. Corporal punishment

To gauge the quality and standard of education, Quality Assurance Test (QAT) is conducted annually in all FAS partner schools. It is a key determinant for continuing financial support and failing in two consecutive QATs, the financial assistance is discontinued. In order to qualify for QAT, 75% of tested students of the partner school are required to secure 40% marks in all subjects. Test is composed of multiple choice questions and subjective questions also.

The M&E department of PEF conducts class-wise random inspections of partner school to check/verify the accuracy of the reported enrolment, improvements made in the infrastructure (including rooms, toilets, drinking water facility, lighting in rooms, fans, electricity, furniture, security arrangement etc.) and standard of cleanliness and hygiene at any time without notice during working hours of the partner school. Students and teachers of the school may also be interviewed and must be directly accessible to the representatives of the Punjab Education Foundation.

FAS categorizes partner schools into Five categories i.e. A+, A, B, C and D on the basis of performance against qualitative and quantitative their QAT result, physical infrastructure and teachers’ qualification, findings of monitoring reports, complaints, student retention/enrollment and PEC/ BISE results.

PRE-QAT is conducted in applicant schools which apply for FAS partnership in response to advertisement. It is mandatory part of school selection process. In order to qualify for Pre-QAT, 66.67% of tested students of the applicant school are required to secure 35% marks in English and 40% marks in remaining all subjects.

An unregistered school may apply for partnership, if allowed in advertised terms & conditions. However after coming into FAS partnership school shall register itself with the District Education Authority (DAE) within prescribed time as approved by PEF-BOD. In case of non-registration within given timelines, school may be penalized and/or its partnership may be cancelled.

The partner schools are required to display the prescribed PEF board on its main gate and/ or any other prominent place. The specimen of the board is provided by PEF which is basically for information of general public that the children enrolled in the educational institution are supported under the PEF-FAS Program and education is provided free of cost.

The payment to partner school is given after PEF-FAS agreement is signed. Before the process can take place the school must ensure the following:

• • Bank account to be opened only in the name of the School and drawing rights should be mentioned on Bank Account letter (personal accounts are not acceptable).
• • Bank account opened only in concerned branch of the Bank of Punjab are accepted i.e. bank accounts in any other area/ district are not acceptable.

Once the school has entered into partnership, it is required to provide monthly student updates in online program developed for FAS partner schools which is called Students Information System (SIS). School owner should provide student details i.e. Student Name, Father Name B. Form No. Class, Picture and address and accurate enrollment figures within the prescribed date currently 10th of each month in SIS, which is mandatory for release of payment. Further, monthly payment is released on the basis of verified and active enrolment on a cutoff date as decided by the Competent Authority of PEF.

Student Information System (SIS) is web-based application software designed to collect and store a structured information for integrating students, parents, teachers and the administration of FAS schools.

Student information system meets the following objectives:

1. 1. Maintenance and reporting of student’s data as per school record
2. 2. Maintained school teacher’s data
3. 3. Handling inquiries from prospective schools
4. 4. Handling the admissions process
5. 5. Enrolling new students
6. 6. Handling records of PEC and BISE examinations
7. 7. Providing statistical reports

When schools enter into FAS partnership, a SIS login is provided to school to update its enrolled students in PEF-SIS as per school record.

From the date of execution of FAS partnership agreement the partner school will not charge any enrolled student any fee in whatsoever form, including fines, recreational activities, stationery, photocopy, class tours, admission charges, school leaving certificate fee, registration fees, selling of model papers etc. However, School’s Parent Teacher Council should be made and in case of field/ recreational/ trips/ activities consent of parents should be taken in written form and should be duly documented in Parent Council Register.

The partner school shall not conduct/ carry out after school classes within its premises. Any academic or non-academic activity for profit making shall not be carried out once the school comes into partnership with the PEF. Moreover, laws of Govt. of the Punjab shall be strictly observed by partner schools regarding schools timings, holidays etc.

The teacher student ratio should not exceed 30 students per teacher and no single room may host more than one class at one time. Practice of conducting classes in verandas and passages among rooms are strictly forbidden/ not allowed.

The student-drinking point ratio should not exceed from 70 students per point. Similarly, same ratio will be observed for toilet facility. However, separate toilet shall be provided for girls students. There should be separate toilets for teachers/staff/principal which will not be considered while calculating ratio.

Enrolment limit (Policy Cap) reflects the maximum limit of students in a school. However, the minimum enrolment should not be less than 100 students (which may vary from phase to phase ). The school must ensure the provision of proper infrastructure and all relevant facilities for its enrolled students.

It is strongly suggested that school administration should take particular care and diligence in sending the monthly enrolment update to FAS. Any negligence or ignorance will also result in the imposition of penalties. Conveying of wrong information to visiting monitor will also be dealt strictly and penalty imposed.

In order to obtain the quality outcomes, it is imperative that the partner school pay special attention to the school’s infrastructure. As per FAS SOP’s overcrowding in a classroom means more than 35 students sitting in a classroom. Schools that are found to be overcrowded at any time after entering into FAS partnership will face the penalties.

A classroom that carries students more than its capacity is called a congested classroom. Capacity of a classroom is calculated after leaving a space of 3 feet from writing board to first row of students. School management has to ensure that there should be no congested classrooms in the school failing to which penalty may be imposed.

PEF partner schools are allowed to have Max. of two campuses subject to prevailing policies. However, in the event of extreme need 3rd campus may be allowed as special case. The maximum distance between the campuses should not be more than 500 meters for rented buildings and 1 kilometer for owned building. Distance of all campuses are measured from main campus.

PEF exercises a zero tolerance policy against corporal punishment. As per FAS SOPs penalty is imposed on the school where corporal punishment is reported. Repeated observation of corporal punishment can lead to cancellation of FAS partnership as well.

Some of the following actions of partner school may result in imposition of penalties and/or cancellation of the partnership agreement under PEF-FAS:

A. Charging Fee and/or allied charges from the students

Public money is a sacred trust with PEF, any misuse or misappropriation of these funds will not be tolerated. It is strongly suggested that schools should desist all monetary transactions (sales of books, uniforms, badges, stationery, photocopy charges, paper fund, admission charges, school leaving certificate fee, registration fees, selling of model papers, fine in any shape etc.) to the students immediately and keep a vigilant eye on school staff to ensure that any such incident does not occur. Negligence or ignorance is not accepted while imposition of these penalties.

B. Failure in FAS QAT

Failure to meet PEF-BOD approved criteria for qualifying FAS QAT in two consecutive attempts leads to cancellation of FAS partnership agreement.

C. Sexual Harassment

If any complaint received against school management or teachers regarding sexual harassment and proved, it may lead to cancellation of partnership agreement.

New phase of FAS is launched keeping in view the enrollment targets of financial year, and subject to approval of its Board of directors.

PEF schools are allowed to run canteen in their premises; subject to the following terms and conditions:

1. 1. Only stationery items i.e. lead pencils, sharpener, eraser, ball pen, rulers can be sold.
2. 2. Eatables i.e. snack of any kind, fast food etc. can be sold. Compliance to instructions/ guidelines of Punjab Food Authority must be ensured.
3. 3. Books, uniform, badges etc. cannot be sold in canteen.
4. 4. Canteen can’t be used for profit making in shape of rent.

Please note that partners are allowed to facilitate teachers & students through the provision of canteen within school premises but it shall not be rented out.

Yes, but appeals can only be filed against following decisions:

1. i. Cancellation of Partnership.
2. ii. Blacklisting in PEF record.
3. iii. Rejection/ Non Recommendation of applicant school during school selection process for new Phase.

School will submit written application in Urdu/ English on its school letterhead mentioning reason for not agreeing to PEF decision along with evidence, if available. Also, it is the responsibility of school owner to attach the prescribed processing fee as per latest circular/ notification.