Mobile libraries may traverse the streets of Sindh

Govt includes proposal in education policy draft to improve reading material access

KARACHI:

After the 18^th Amendment, the Sindh government started drafting its own education policy to operate the education system in the province. Among other things, the government has proposed a mobile bus library programme to bring age-appropriate reading material to communities, especially those in rural and sub-urban areas, where people are deprived of these faculties.

An official engaged in the policy drafting process told The Express Tribune that the concept of the mobile libraries will help re-establish a culture of reading in the province. “In many countries, mobile bus libraries have been an important tool to spread knowledge and educate the masses,” an additional secretary in the education department explained, adding that the mobile buses will be purchased at divisional levels and will travel to various areas as per their schedule.

The initial draft available with The Express Tribune reveals that the government will allocate around 20 to 25% of the provincial budget for quality improvement projects and programmes. “Access to early childhood education, access to elementary education, access to secondary higher education and access to literacy and non-formal education will be the government’s priority,” the draft stated.

It adds that the establishment of libraries at schools, provision of library books, establishment of reading circles at schools and provision of a broadly based curriculum will be ensured. Dr Fauzia Khan, who is the focal person in drafting the policy, said the government has notified a core croup for policy matters and a summary has been submitted to the chief secretary to include more experts in the group for feedback.

“We have developed non-formal education, early childhood education and textbook and learning material policies too,” she said, adding that the government is focusing on improving the quality of pre-service teachers’ education, in-service teachers’ education and teachers’ recruitment rules.

Another official in the education department said in the upcoming policy they will also set primary, secondary and higher education targets for the next 10 years and will establish, expand and strengthen parent-teacher and school-community relations. They will also set up quality assurance cells at district levels.

Education Minister Jam Mahtab Hussain Dahar said their main focus will be on merit-based, professionally qualified, competent and dedicated teachers who can improve the standard of education. “We have started the process and are getting input from various stakeholders in drafting the policy, which will be shared with the media soon,” he said.