4,200 non-operational schools to be reopened by June

Schools secretary discusses plan to enhance quality of education, schools

SUKKUR: Around 4,200 schools in Sindh are not operational and to combat this, the chief minister has set a target of reopening 2,500 schools by June 2017, said Sindh's school education secretary, Abdul Aziz Uqaili.

Chairing a meeting of education officers of Sukkur and Larkana in Sukkur on Wednesday, he said 2,200 schools have so far been made operational and it is his desire to surpass the CM's expectations and reopen all the 4,200 closed schools by June 2017.

Talking about providing high-quality education, he disclosed that two schools in every union council will be established, for which dedicated headmasters and teachers are being selected.



Admitting flaws in the biometric system, the secretary said, "We are ready to introduce this system at divisional and district levels if the commissioners and deputy commissioners give assurances [that it will be monitored]."

He said at present, the teacher-to-student ratio is 1:27 but the ratio in rural and urban areas differs from this. According to the new policy carved out by the department, schools with low student enrolment but a high number of teachers will have teachers relocated.

To improve education in the province, divisional and district reforms and overview committees will be strengthened and officers working at reform support units will keep working in all the districts.



Urging the officers to work diligently, Uqaili said, "We are not here to enjoy sitting in our offices - we have to join hands and work hard to save the future of Sindh." It is our endeavour to provide better facilities in schools such as solar-powered lights, washrooms, drinking water and other necessary facilities, he added. "All the district and taluka officers, and even common people, should be given access to the biometric system so that everyone can see the status of the teachers," he said.

Uqaili also announced that a campaign to increase enrolment in schools will be initiated soon, after which officers and teachers will rewarded for increasing enrolment.