‘Sindh to get increased budget for education amid crisis’

Minister says other funds may be compromised, but no compromise on health and education

KARACHI:

Provincial Minister for Universities and Boards, Ismail Rahoo, emphasised the government's commitment to prioritise health and education amid ongoing economic crisis in the country.

Speaking at an education ceremony, the minister highlighted the manifold increase in the budget for the education sector, aimed at improving institutions' curricula to meet international standards.

"Despite financial difficulties, the education budget has witnessed a significant rise, soaring from Rs6 billion over the past five years to the current allocation of Rs21 billion," he said.

Rahoo assured that while other funding sources may be compromised, there will be no concessions when it comes to health and education. He stressed the prohibition of mobile phones for vigilance officers, students, and teachers within examination centres to ensure a transparent process of examination.

Furthermore, the minister ordered the KE to ensure uninterrupted electric supply during exams.

Despite several complaints regarding power outages in various exam centres, concrete responses from the federal government are yet to be received.

Recognising the significance of technology, Rahoo highlighted the successful shift to online learning during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Sindh administration remains committed to leveraging technological advancements to strengthen the health and education sectors.

Expressing his concerns over budget disparities, Director General Colleges Sindh, Shadab Hussain stressed the need for uniformity in education budgets.

"The budget for colleges is expected to be increased, and efforts have been made to request universities' budgets to be based on enrollment figures," he said. Hussain also highlighted the need to address the varying budgets of different colleges across Sindh.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 2^nd, 2023.