Moalims

KARACHI: In what seem the ‘reflection of good governance’ and the priority given to the education sector by the Sindh government since past seven years, more than 6,107, out of 46,480 schools are closed in the province for quite many years, Daily Times has learnt.

In Sindh’s urban areas, the male literacy rate is 85 percent and female literacy rate is 70 percent, however in rural Sindh, the figures are 58 percent for males and 23 percent for females, whose opportunity to pursue an education is often hindered by the religious and cultural tradition, which limits their ability to move outside their homes unless accompanied by a male relative.

According to official statistics, there is a total enrolment of 4,249,033 children that included 1,759,177 girls and 2,489,856 boys.

The break-up shows some 1,754,030 boys against 1,209,592 girls are enrolled in primary schools of the province - 76,784 boys and 82,409 girls enrolled in middle schools, 52,449 boys, 52,268 girls enrolled in elementary schools, 411,883 boys, 300,057 girls enrolled in secondary schools and 194,710 boys and 114,851 girls are enrolled in higher secondary schools, according to senior Digital Literacy Project Programme Manager Ghulam Nabi Leghari.

Moreover, Sindh Education Minister Nisar Ahmed Khuhro had time and again stated that FIRs be registered against the influential people who are having illegal possession of school buildings. However, the students are still waiting for the reopening of schools.

The leader of teachers association – Government Secondary Teachers Association – Ashraf Khaskheli told that the scribe that 8,000 teacher have been suspended by the present Education secretary without any reason. “When such a large number of teachers are suspended, then how would the people of poor families get education in far-flung areas of the province,” Ashraf Khaskheli questioned.

“The number of closed schools in the Sindh stood at 3,000, however, after the present secretary took over the charge the number jumped to 6,107, he alleged.

He urged the authorities to take notice of the situation, massive corruption in the Education Department and save the nation’s future.

Secretary Education Dr Fazaullah Pechuho could not be approached for his comments, as his mobile phone remained unattended.

News Reference