KARACHI: Sindh Education Minister Syed Sardar Ali Shah has said that the monitoring system regarding teachers’ attendance in Sindh is being made more effective.

He warned that strict action will be taken against teachers who are absent and do not teach students.

The minister expressed these views while speaking to the media after leading a rally in Malir district on Friday. The rally was organised by the Sindh Education Department in connection with the admission drive.

It took place from Government Razaqabad College to Government Girls Primary School Razaqabad in Malir district.

Education Secretary Zahid Ali Abbasi, social activist Shezad Roy, MPAs Sajid Jokhio, Raja Razzak, Yusuf Murtaza Baloch, Special Assistant to Chief Minister Saleem Baloch and other local leaders of the Pakistan Peoples Party participated in the event.

Representatives from Unicef, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and other international organisations also attended.

During the awareness rally, participants carried banners and placards highlighting the importance of education. They chanted slogans such as Parhy ga Sindh, Barhy ga Sindh, etc. Minister Shah led the rally alongside students and participants.

Speaking on the occasion, he said that the education department had started the admission drive on Friday as part of its efforts to boost education accessibility and enrolment rates in the province.

He emphasised that education was a fundamental right according to the Constitution. He added that it is the state’s responsibility to educate children between five and 16 years of age, and parents share this responsibility with the state.

This year, the government aims to increase new enrolment in government schools by 800,000 to 900,000. Currently, 5.2 million children are studying, he said, adding that efforts were being made to recruit good teachers.

He warned that absent teachers who fail to teach will not be tolerated.

The minister announced plans to start planting trees in schools, making headmasters responsible for this initiative.

Regarding textbooks, he acknowledged challenges but confirmed that books had been delivered to 138 talukas. He committed to personally monitoring book distribution and visiting schools, book market and shops too. To address heat and electricity issues in schools, the government is working on a solarisation project.

Later, the minister launched the school plantation campaign by planting saplings on the school premises.

Published in Dawn, August 17th, 2024