KARACHI: Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has directed the education department to ensure the distribution of 4,453,686 textbooks by August 14, ahead of the school reopening on August 15. This move aims to enhance educational standards and prepare schools for the new academic year.
During a meeting at CM House, Shah emphasized the need for improved school enrolment and a robust inspection system to assess teaching and learning methods. He also called for a comprehensive plan for the academic year, including a work plan and preliminary exams.
The education minister reported that Sindh has 40,991 schools, with a total enrolment of 5,236,307 students. The current teacher-student ratio is 1:32. The CM highlighted the importance of quality teaching and proposed that teachers should pass a competency test every five years.
In addition to improving teaching standards, Shah directed the education department to start textbook distribution promptly and complete it by the given deadline. He also discussed the need for rehabilitating damaged schools, with 4,206 school buildings already included in the Annual Development Programme (ADP) and a three-year plan for further rehabilitation.
Regarding shelter-less schools, Shah noted that 282 such schools are being addressed in the ADP, with plans to construct the remaining buildings. The education minister reported efforts to upgrade 1,239 primary schools to post-primary level and urged further upgrades to reduce student dropouts.
Additionally, Shah addressed the implementation of a 10% freeship in private schools and instructed the department to raise awareness about this policy through media and official channels.
The meeting was attended by Education Minister Syed Sardar Shah, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, and other senior officials.
