A formal provencial law maker has written an open letter to the Asian Development Bank (ADB) questioning its continued financial support for the Sindh Education and Literacy Department while raising concerns about the effectiveness of the Sindh Secondary Education Improvement Project (SSEIP).
Launched in 2014 with a $75 million ADB loan, the SSEIP was designed to overhaul the examination boards in Sindh and enhance the educational infrastructure. However, nearly a decade later, only 20% of the allocated funds have been used, with most of the expenditures directed towards consultant fees rather than tangible improvements, states the letter written by Rabia Azfar Nizami.
The project, initially slated for completion within a few years, was extended to 2023 due to slow progress. Despite this extension, results have remained disappointing, prompting serious questions about the efficacy of ADB's continued investment in the program. Critics argue that the lack of progress and accountability undermines the primary objective of the investment: to improve educational outcomes in Sindh.
The letter questioned why ADB persists in funding a project that has repeatedly demonstrated inefficiency and a lack of commitment to reform. It points to a troubling trend of bureaucratic delays and inefficiencies, particularly concerning the appointment of chairmen of the boards for the project. Instead of following legal procedures and forming search committees, there have been ad hoc extensions, which critics say only perpetuate inefficiency and hinder progress.
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