15 school heads under scrutiny for budget misuse

Education dept officers suspect embezzlement by headmasters

HYDERABAD:

The Sindh School Education and Literacy Department has issued show-cause notices to headmasters of 15 government schools in Hyderabad, demanding explanations for alleged misuse of school-specific budget (SSB) funds during the current fiscal year 2025-26, up to October 30, 2025.

The department has directed the concerned officials to respond within seven days, clarifying why disciplinary action should not be initiated under the Efficiency and Discipline (E&D) rules for violating budgetary protocols. The notices follow a letter issued by Section Officer Ashfaq Ahmed Patoli, citing non-compliance with standard operating procedures and suspected embezzlement by Drawing and Disbursing Officers (DDOs).

The letter, dispatched from Karachi instructed the District Education Officer (Elementary, Secondary & Higher Secondary), Hyderabad, and other officials to obtain written statements and supporting documents from the accused headmasters. They have been asked to appear in person before the Special Secretary at the School Education and Literacy Department for further proceedings.

In response, District Education Officer Aziz-ur-Rehman issued individual letters dated November 10, to the headmasters of the schools, referencing the department's directive and reiterating the requirement to submit documentary evidence and clarify their position within seven days.

This action comes after the Sindh government, for the first time since 2012, allocated an additional Rs18.67 billion for repair, maintenance, and other needs across 34,107 primary, middle, elementary, secondary, and higher secondary schools-beyond their annual budgetary provisions. However, complaints soon surfaced alleging that the funds were being used in violation of codal formalities, prompting the department to initiate inquiries not only in Hyderabad but also in Naushahro Feroze, Jacobabad, and Kashmore-Kandhkot.