No electricity at public schools

A strong check-and-balance system is needed to hold the education department responsible for each rupee allocated.

Once it was re-elected into power in Sindh, the PPP government allocated a whopping Rs132.2 billion in this year’s budget, convincing its residents that perhaps, the government’s priorities were finally in the right direction. The trickle-down effect of this massive budgetary allocation has, however, been unsatisfactory, to say the least. According to a news report published in these pages, nearly 42 per cent of the 3,600 public schools in Karachi are without electricity. The education department owes the Karachi Electric Supply Company nearly Rs50.6 million, claimed the utility’s officials. The government insisted, nevertheless, that the utility sent exorbitant bills in the past that previous department officials paid without checking. Hence, it is the utility which has to pay back around Rs40 million.

In a country where the standards of public schools are shamefully low, the fact that the government has not been able to provide even basic facilities, such as electricity, only makes the situation worse. A joint committee has been set up to resolve this issue but there is reluctance on the part of the two parties to reach an agreement. However, this is merely a short-term solution to the problem, the government and the utility need to come up with a permanent solution so there is no interruption of services to facilities as important as schools.

It is commendable that the government allocated a significant amount to raise education standards in Sindh. What remains to be seen is whether or not the government releases the amount and how it is spent. There is a need for a strong check-and-balance system whereby the education department is held responsible for each rupee allocated. One way to make the department responsible is through public account committees, but the Sindh Assembly has yet to form one — even though it has been almost six months that the provincial assembly was formed. The government must set up this committee on an urgent basis to keep a check on corrupt officials.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 19^th, 2013.

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