Minister suggests introducing modern technologies in curriculum

Dahar discusses performance, working of education department in meeting

KARACHI: New courses should be introduced at college level based on modern technologies, said provincial education minister Jam Mehtab Hussain Dahar during his visit to the education and literacy department on Tuesday.

A meeting was also held that was presided over by Dahar and was attended by acting education secretary Mumtaz Ali Shah, special secretary Syed Zakir Shah, colleges director-general, private schools director-general, colleges directorate, reform support unit officials, curriculum wings heads and officials of all sections of the education department. Dahar has also called for a meeting with the heads of various sections of education department in Tughlaq House today.



Dahar asked education department officers to make efforts to increase enrolment in schools, especially of females and to decrease the dropout rate of children from schools. He also suggested that now is the right time to introduce biometric system for attendance of secondary and higher secondary school students.

While issuing directions to the education department, Dahar asked them to develop a comprehensive plan for adult learning, with the focus on skill development. He said action should be taken against unregistered private schools and the safety of students should be ensured at all costs.

Dahar further directed the education department officers to get back all educational institutions buildings that have been occupied by encroachers. He also suggested mobilising communities and to involve them in increasing enrolment in public schools.

"It is a matter of pleasure that Sindh is the first province in the country to have its social studies syllabus from class six to eight," Dahar said, adding that there should be an effective representation of Sindh in National Curriculum Council.



During the meeting, all heads of various sections briefed Dahar about the performance and working of their respective departments. He was also informed that the curriculum for minorities is ready to be implemented.

The education minister asked Sindh Text Book Board chairperson Syed Zakir Ali Shah to develop a comprehensive and scientific mechanism for free distribution of text books among students. Speaking to The Express Tribune, Shah said that the minister's visit was an introductory meeting with the education department.

Dahar also discussed new steps that should be taken to improve the education system. He also had a meeting with the relevant officers of the directorates and curriculum wings and finalised the upcoming steps for betterment of the education system in Sindh.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 4^th, 2016.