Sindh teachers’ strike

Much like the resolve of millions of children in Pakistan who want to attend school but do not have the facilities to do so, Sindh’s primary government school teachers are firmly attempting to change the circumstances. Their passion currently manifests in a protest outside Karachi Press Club with hundreds having congregated, demanding job security and the same old cry for better school facilities. Members of the Primary Teachers Association, NTS and others must be supported, realising the significance of teachers in educating and moulding future generations — and by default, directly impacting the future of Sindh.

Although the number of teachers protesting represents a subset of primary government school teachers, the magnitude of their impact could be expansive. The abysmal statistics send blaring signals. We are still only at a point where we can talk about basic school facilities but not advanced ones. According to a report titled School Education Statistics-Sindh, 2015-2016 by the Bureau of Statistics, the majority of schools are without electricity and potable water, recalling that thousands of Sindh’s schools exist in interior, desert terrains. There is also little contrast between the number of schools with and without bathrooms or boundary walls.

Rhetoric by officials is inadequate. The education department must show greater interest and action via first showing up to meetings, and then at least a written agreement that it will make teacher jobs permanent granted teachers earnestly fulfill their responsibilities. Follow-through, however, will have to be monitored closely. Educators deserve respect for they are responsible for influencing our future generations; they should feel secure in order to perform their best. Low motivation will reflect in their students. This is also a prime opportunity to raise morale within the government programme. As students watch the protest, conflict-resolution through negotiation needs to be employed over physical violence.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 30^th, 2017.

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