KARACHI: Sindh Education Minister Syed Sardar Ali Shah has directed education authorities to increase school enrolment to six million, open 2,170 viable schools under the placement plan, and remove the biometrics of 1,700 teachers from non-viable schools.

He issued these instructions while chairing a meeting on Monday in Karachi. The meeting was attended by Secretary School Education Sindh Zahid Ali Abbasi, Special Secretary Education Syed Junaid Ahmed, Additional Secretary Ghulam Akbar Barhamani, Chief Program Manager RSU Dr. Junaid Ali Samoo, DG Monitoring and Evaluation Zain Ansari, Director HR Kishore Kumar, Data Analyst Ghazi Mahar, and other officials.

The meeting discussed the teacher-to-student ratio, the opening of closed schools, and increasing enrolment ratios. The minister was informed that over 7,500 schools have been opened in Sindh due to recent teacher recruitments. Most schools were previously closed due to teacher retirements or deaths, but 2,170 schools will now be opened under the proposed placement plan.

The meeting was briefed on the status of schools in Deprive Talukas, where 153 schools will be opened following a court decision regarding recruitments. Additionally, over 10,000 schools in Sindh have been reopened due to new recruitments.

Mr Shah stated that the recruitment of 60,000 teachers on merit and the opening of 10,000 schools is a significant achievement of the Pakistan People’s Party’s government. He emphasised that the placement plan process will continue, ensuring that schools remain open even in the case of teacher retirements or deaths.

After all schools are opened, the next placement phase will be decided based on teacher-to-student ratios. Mr Shah directed the launch of an enrolment drive, aiming to increase enrolment to 6 million students. He stressed the need to upgrade schools according to student ratios and prevent dropouts.

The meeting revealed that the biometrics of 1,700 teachers have been completed in non-viable schools. The minister instructed that action will be taken against directors and DEOs if they are involved in the appointments of teachers in non-viable schools.

Furthermore, it was reported that 2,048 employees have not complied with biometric registration orders. Mr Shah directed that departmental action be taken against these employees. He also ordered that complaints regarding the biometric registration of new teachers be resolved promptly to ensure an uninterrupted teaching process.

Overall, the meeting focused on key strategies to improve education in Sindh, including increasing enrolment, opening new schools, and optimising teacher placements.

Published in Dawn, July 30th, 2024