Education only road to progress: minister

The Federal Education Minister Madad Ali Sindhi expressed his concern that educational institutions are often viewed solely as job providers with no other objectives.

Speaking at a press conference at the Hyderabad Press Club on Friday, the minister admitted that government schools, where his generation received education decades ago, no longer offer the same quality of education.

Sindhi also acknowledged that this decline in quality is due to the fact that public sector education is no longer a top priority, despite significant funds being allocated to the sector.

As an example, he mentioned the Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science, and Technology (FUUAST) in Karachi, where approximately 50 retired employees were not receiving their pensions due to alleged fund shortages. However, he revealed that the university was simultaneously considering hiring 50 new employees.

Sindhi took decisive action by removing the acting Vice Chancellor of FUUAST, Dr Muhammad Ziauddin, and appointed Dr Rubina Mushtaq with a directive to prioritise resolving the unpaid pension issue.

The minister shared insights from his recent visits to Sindh University and Shaheed Allah Bux Soomro University of Art, Design, and Heritage in the Jamshoro district.

He cited an unusual case in which a scholar translated and copied a book from Urdu to Sindhi and still obtained a Ph.D degree.

Sindhi emphasised that institutions like Shaheed Allah Bux Soomro University, named after a pre-independence political figure, should publish a booklet about that individual's life and contributions.

He also mentioned that the Higher Education Commission (HEC) had allocated Rs886 million to SABS and was constructing three hostels at Sindh University.

"There can be no path to progress for Pakistan other than through education," he stressed.

Regarding the alleged murder of a minor maid in the residence of her employer in Ranipur, Khairpur, Sindhi expressed dismay at the prevalence of child labour and noted that many school teachers still do not attend classes.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 7^th, 2023.