646 pass test, get teaching licence

KARACHI:

The Sukkur IBA Testing Services has announced the results of the Teaching Licence Test, which was held on January 28, 2024, under the recently approved Sindh Teaching Licence Policy 2023. As many as 4,000 B.Ed. or M.Ed./ M.A. qualified teachers (from both government and private sector) took the test, of which 646 cleared and secured an Elementary (Class 1-8) Teaching Licence.

The test contained two sections; 40 marks were dedicated to assessing candidates’ content knowledge via Multiple Choice Questions; while 60 marks were dedicated to assessing pedagogical content knowledge via Constructed Response Questions (descriptive questions). Candidates were required to obtain at least 20 out of 40 and 30 out of 60 marks respectively in order to clear the test. The goal of setting separate passing heads in each section was to ensure that licensed teachers have mastery over both the content and ways of teaching.

Sindh Education Minister, Syed Sardar Ali Shah reaffirms his dedication to advancing education in Sindh, saying, “As we celebrate the success of our teachers in obtaining their licences, I am reminded of the pivotal role, they play in shaping the future of our nation. This achievement underscores our collective commitment to providing our students with the highest standards of education.”

He pledges to continue working tirelessly alongside educators, stakeholders, and partners to implement initiatives that further enhance the quality of education in Sindh. “Together we will strive to create an inclusive and innovative learning environment that empowers our students to excel and thrive in an ever-changing world.”

He further added, “Sindh government will keep putting efforts to take all necessary steps for formulating policies and implementing them. The cooperation from the private sector in government initiatives is evident that we are united towards a common goal.”

A total 3,023 in-service government teachers took this test, of which 445 passed (14.7%), while out of the 977 private sector candidates, only 201 passed (20.6%). Government teachers, who have secured this licence, will be eligible for promotion into BPS-16 while successful candidates from the private sector will be eligible for appointment to BPS-16 posts, subject to Sindh Public Service Commission rules.

Furthermore, the Sindh Education Department is considering an additional professional allowance for senior government teachers, who are already at BPS-16 and higher, and have secured a teaching licence.

To accommodate newly licensed teachers, Sindh government has approved the creation of 700 new posts of Elementary School Teachers (eligible to teach grades 1-8) at BPS-16. Previously, Junior Elementary School Teachers (JEST) were being inducted at BPS-14 and were required to have completed graduation in any field. These new 700 vacancies will be reserved for only licensed Elementary School Teachers.

Karachi region had the highest passing percentage in the in-service government teacher category at 31% (95 candidates passed out of 305), followed by Hyderabad region at 16% (49 passed out of 301) and Sukkur region at 15% (107 passed out of 706). Karachi also had the highest passing percentage in the private sector teacher category at 53% (79 passed out of 150), followed by Sukkur region at 26% (59 passed out of 228) and Larkana region at 16% (44 passed out of 271).

Sukkur region had the highest total number of passing government teachers at 107, followed by Karachi region with 95 and Larkana region with 91. Karachi region had the highest number of passing private sector candidates at 79, followed by Sukkur region at 59 and Larkana region at 44. Overall, Karachi, Sukkur, Larkana, Shaheed Benazirabad, Hyderabad, Mirpur Khas, Banbhore regions produced 174, 166, 135, 69, 58, 38 and 6 successful candidates, respectively.

In the in-service government teacher category, the average age of passing candidates was 34; while in the private sector, it was 27.

The passing rate for men was 11% (217 passed out of 2006) in the in-service teacher category, while for women it was 22% (228 passed out of 1,017). In the private sector teacher category, the passing rate for men was 12% (52 passed out of 435) while for women it was 27% (149 passed out of 542).

Of the 646 qualifying candidates, 31 scored between 70 and 80 marks (out of 100), 258 scored between 60 and 70 and 357 scored between 50 and 60.

Candidates who have not cleared the licensing test will be eligible to re-appear in the test next year. Furthermore, the Sindh Teacher Education Development Authority (STEDA) is already planning to expand the licensing regime next year to include other licence categories such as the Primary and Secondary Teaching Licences.

This teaching licensing initiative is an example of the good work that results from a strong vision, political continuity and partnerships between the public and private sector.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 31^st, 2024.