KARACHI: Sindh Education Minister Syed Sardar Ali Shah stated that the status of a teacher has always been revered in all societies. In the context of educational reforms in Sindh, the top priority is the teachers.

He made these remarks today while addressing a ceremony in Karachi in honour of World Teachers’ Day. The event, organised by the Sindh Teachers Education Development Authority (STEDA), was held at the Scouts Headquarters in Karachi.

The ceremony was attended by the Secretary of School Education, Zahid Ali Abbasi, former caretaker Minister of Education, Rana Hussain, STEDA’s Executive Director, Syed Rasool Bux Shah, social activists Shehzad Roy and Salma Roy, along with teachers, students, education officers, and others.

In his address, the minister compared a teacher’s role to that of diving into a deep ocean to bring out pearls, producing the best individuals for society. He emphasised that anyone who imparts knowledge, formally or informally, is considered a teacher. By improving the quality of teaching, we can create more capable future generations. He remarked that everything good we see in the world today is a gift from teachers who taught us.

Sardar Shah highlighted that the Sindh government is working to modernise the quality of education in schools, and improving teaching standards is key to this progress. Emphasising the importance of teachers, the minister stressed the need to encourage and appreciate their hard work.

He also mentioned that recognising teaching as a full-fledged profession in Sindh has led to the introduction of the Teachers’ License. Under the Continuous Professional Development (CPD) model, teacher training is ongoing, with a focus on activity-based learning. The provincial education minister noted that Sindh’s public school teachers have outperformed UNESCO standards, securing top positions and demonstrating exceptional performance.

The minister acknowledged that while the sanctity of the teaching profession has been tarnished by a few individuals, there is no shortage of qualified teachers in Sindh’s schools. He emphasised that removing the role of teachers from society would put our very existence at risk. Sardar Ali Shah expressed his deep respect for all teachers who perform their duties with sincerity.

Mr Abbasi also addressed the gathering, announcing that all teachers who pass the Teachers’ License Test will soon be granted their licences. Furthermore, rules regarding promotions and other benefits have been established. During the ceremony, awards and certificates of appreciation were presented to teachers who excelled in improving teaching quality and introducing modern concepts.

Published in Dawn, October 6th, 2024