Teachers’ recruitment report irks LHC
The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday expressed dissatisfaction over the process of recruitment of teachers who will teach the Holy Quran at schools.
The LHC’s division bench headed by Justice Shahid Waheed was hearing a matter wherein the court had been requested to direct the concerned quarters to make compulsory the teaching of the Holy Quran in private and government schools.
As Punjab Advocate General Ahmad Awais submitted a report regarding the recruitment of teachers, the bench expressed its displeasure.
On a point, the school education secretary informed the court that some Hafiz-e-Quran teachers expressed their willingness to teach Holy Quran at schools. To which the bench questioned how a science or an art teacher would be in a position to teach the Holy Quran.
“Why don’t you recruit dedicated teachers for teaching the Holy Quran,” the bench remarked.
The court also questioned about the mechanism formed to teach the holy book from class one.
The education secretary implored the court that the government has devised a mechanism for the recruitment as well as the training of the teachers who will teach the Holy Quran.
He vowed the advertisement will also be published for the said purpose. He further told the court that the finance ministry asked them to recruit half of the teachers for the said purpose owing to the shortage of funds.
The bench observed that the court be informed if any hurdle is created in the implementation of the court orders.
The bench questioned whether or not Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar approved the summary for the funds.
At which the Punjab advocate general sought some time to submit a detailed and comprehensive report before the bench.
However, the bench accepting plea adjourned the proceedings.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 7th, 2022.