Govt teachers need strict monitoring: minister

Minister for Education Sardar Ali Shah has stated that the monitoring system regarding teacher attendance in Sindh is being made more effective.

He warned that strict action will be taken against teachers who are absent and do not teach students.

The minister expressed these views while speaking to media representatives after leading a rally in Malir district. The rally was organised by the Sindh Education Department in connection with the admission drive. It took place from Government Razaqabad College to Government Girls Primary School Razaqabad in Malir district, Karachi.

Secretary Education Sindh Zahid Ali Abbasi, social activist Shahzad Roy, elected representative of Malir, MPA Sajid Jokhio, MPA Raja Razzak, MPA Yusuf Murtaza Baloch Special Assistant to Chief Minister Saleem Baloch, and other local leaders of PPP participated in the event.

Representatives from UNICEF, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and other international organisations also attended.

During the awareness rally, participants carried banners and placards highlighting the importance of education. They chanted slogans like "Parhy ga Sindh, Barhy ga Sindh" and others. Shah led the rally alongside students and participants.

He said that the Sindh Education and Literacy Department(SELD) has started the admission drive today, as part of its efforts to boost education accessibility and enrollment rates in the province. He emphasised that education is a fundamental right according to the constitution. He added that it is the state's responsibility to educate children between 5 and 16 years old, and parents share this responsibility with the state.

This year, the government aims to increase new enrolment in government schools by 800,000. Currently, 5.2 million children are studying at govt schools. The minister ensured that no school in Sindh is closed due to a lack of teachers now. Efforts are being made to recruit good teachers. He warned that absent teachers who fail to teach will not be tolerated.

The minister announced plans to start planting trees in schools, making headmasters responsible for this initiative. Regarding textbooks, he acknowledged challenges but confirmed that books have been delivered to 138 Talukas. He committed to personally monitoring book distribution and visiting schools, book market and shops too.

To address heat and electricity issues in schools, the government is working on a solarization project. Later, Provincial Minister Syed Sardar Ali Shah launched the school plantation campaign by planting saplings in the school premises.