THATTA: About 27,000 girls and boys have been out of school for past couple of years as only 955 out of total 1,461 schools in five talukas of Thatta district are functional, says an official report on Thursday.

The report prepared by the office of district education officer (primary) said that 522 schools could not be made functional either because the buildings were closed for necessary repairs and renovation or because of shortage of teachers.

A major reason behind sudden shortage of teachers was reported to be retirement in recent years of 1,000 teachers who had opted for quitting the service after the government relaxed rules about retirement, said officials.

According to the report, total enrollment in the 1,461 schools was 60,238 girls and boys while 350 teachers out of about 1,000 had retired only in Mirpur Sakro taluka.

Mohammad Shafique Arain, taluka education officer (primary) Thatta, said the department had time and again informed the school buildings department which came under the works and services department about the deteriorating condition of school buildings but to no avail.

He said the primary education was facing a serious crisis in the district as 213 posts of teachers, including 99 seats of primary schoolteachers, 109 of junior schoolteachers and five of early child schoolteacher, were lying vacant.

Parents and members of civil society underlined the importance of the issue and demanded the government take immediate steps to increase enrolment and save academic future of primary school students in the district.

Published in Dawn, September 14th, 2018