In session: Teachers to undertake special tests for promotions

The Sindh Assembly session on Monday was focused on the status of education in the province.

KARACHI: Teachers in Sindh who did not join the education department through the National Testing Service (NTS) will be asked to undertake 'tests' if they want to be promoted.

"The plan is under consideration and it will also help our efforts against ghost teachers," hoped the education minister, Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, adding that only the teachers who manage to qualify these tests will be granted promotion.



Khuhro informed the Sindh Assembly on Monday that around 5,000 vacancies were left after the recent NTS tests, adding that his department will recruit teachers on the posts soon. But the Muttahida Qaumi Movement's (MQM) senior lawmaker Syed Sardar Ahmed expressed his reservations regarding the appointments. He claimed that the 40/60 (urban/rural) quota was sidelined in the recent NTS tests, conducted by the education department. "The tests were conducted on the union council basis, which could possibly be the reason for this disparity," Khuhro attempted to justify.

SPSC test set up

Sardar Ahmed also expressed concern over the testing system of the Sindh Public Service Commission in which candidates of one district will appear for the tests in other districts. "This is a serious matter," he pointed out.

"The candidates of Karachi won't be asked to go to other districts," responded the information minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, adding that the decision had been taken back for Karachi's candidates only.

Sufi University

"Don't establish a Sufi university like this," suggested Pakistan Muslim League-Functional’s Mahtab Akbar Rashdi. She said that the syllabus, teaching methods and other requirements implemented in Sufi universities of other countries must be followed.

"We are considering all the requirements," Khuhro responded, adding that the construction work on the university was underway.

Public universities

The Sindh government has established 10 public sector universities in Sindh in the last five years. These include the Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical University, Larkana, Benazir Bhutto Shaheed University, Lyari, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University, Benazirabad, Peoples University of Medical Health Sciences, Shaheed Benazirabad, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University for Veterinary and Animal Sciences Sakrand, Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Karachi, Sindh Madrassatul Islam University, Karachi, Dawood University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi, Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto University of Law, Karachi and University of Sufism and Modern Sciences, Bhitt Shah. Apart from these, seven private universities have also been established in the province over the last five years.



The education department has promoted a total of 2,269 assistant professors, associate professors, librarians and a director of physical education between 2009 and 2013.

Resolution

The assembly unanimously passed a joint resolution against the militants who attacked the Army Public School, Peshawar, where 132 students were martyred. On the occasion of Chehlum, the house also offered prayers and a conveyed message of condolence to the bereaved families.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 27^th, 2015.