KARACHI:
In many private schools across the country, there has been a noticeable rise in the recruitment of teachers as young as 17 years old. It is disconcerting to witness an increasing number of private schools employing educators who are barely older than their students. These underage teachers lack the experience, qualifications and maturity necessary to effectively teach and manage a classroom.
Beyond delivering lessons and homework, teachers play a crucial role in understanding students’ psychology guiding them through academic and personal challenges and fostering holistic development. Can teachers lacking experience and qualifications meet these demanding responsibilities? Financial constraints compel some students to take up teaching roles prematurely compromising the quality of education for a meagre compensation ranging from Rs3,000 to Rs5,000. This compromise not only impacts their learning but also endangers the educational journey of the students they teach.
When I was in 8th grade, our teacher was a first-year student who was still developing his instructional skills. This not only hindered our academic progress but also stunted our overall growth. The practice of hiring underage teachers in private schools is both illegal and detrimental to the future of children. The concerned authorities such as The Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Authority (PEIRA) must intervene to halt this detrimental practice. Strict action must be taken to safeguard the educational integrity of private institutions. Additionally, parents, as the primary advocates for their children’s education, should take proactive steps to ensure that their children receive a high-quality education before enrolling them in private schools.
Sajjad Ali Mugheri
Larkana
Published in The Express Tribune, December 24th, 2023.
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