The education department of Balochistan has been striving to introduce assertive policies to address the educational gaps. In line with this, the Balochistan Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BBISE) requires teachers and lecturers to assist in conducting the annual examinations for matriculation and intermediate students, respectively.
Despite the board’s policy to induct staff who have not been frequently performing duties in the examination, many habitual teachers continue to secure such roles using their influence. The repeated involvement in non-teaching tasks diminishes their motivation for their basic responsibility, teaching. Such teachers are always in search of examination and administrative duties to avoid classroom teaching altogether.
Moreover, the Provincial Institute for Teacher Training (PITE) has been observed appointing teachers as master-trainers who lack pedagogical knowledge and skills. Despite many MPhil and BEd Hons degree-holding teachers in the circuit, the teachers having BEd as an additional degree are given preferences for the appointment as master-trainers. This practice affects the quality of continuous professional development (CPD) for in-service teachers.
Apart from this, it has also been noticed that frequently trained teachers are usually nominated for training sessions repeatedly. Influential teachers manipulate the system to get nominated for training frequently just for getting allowances, travelling and daily allowances. It is not only a violation of departmental policies but also hinders the opportunities for deserving teachers to access professional development sessions. This will affect the quality of education in the long run.
While the efforts of higher authorities for promoting quality education are applauded, there is a need to establish a viable mechanism to put a halt to such recurring practices.
Muhammad Hussain
Sohbat Pur
