Redressing issues: Education cell resolves over 300 complaints
PRO says cell seeking to create stronger interface between teachers, parents.
Nearly 3.4% of the complaints dealt with the fact that many schools in K-P had been closed down. Furthermore, 5.6% of the complaints were against school principals whereas 2% dealt with the practice of corporal punishment at schools. STOCK IMAGE
PESHAWAR:
Nearly 321 of the 428 complaints received by the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Education Complaint Cell have been resolved since it was set up over four months ago, stated a document issued by the body on Thursday.
The complaint cell was set up in September 2014. Under the initiative, the general public was urged to register any grievances they may have regarding elementary and higher education in the province.
According to a copy of the document available with The Express Tribune, of the complaints it has received between September 25, 2014 and February 4, 2015, 21 are currently in progress, 33 have been rejected while the remaining 53 are being reviewed.
Identifying trends
The complaint cell has also categorised the nature of the complaints it has received since September.
“Nearly 4.2% of the complaints were related to shortage of teachers at schools,” the document read. “Moreover, 11.5% of them involved the absence of teachers from schools.”
A total of 13.5% deal with problems surrounding the posting and recruitment of teachers while 21.6% are concerned with the absence of basic facilities at schools, stated the document.
Many complaints concerned administrative problems at schools across the province.
“Approximately 7.1% of the complaints we received dealt with the attitude of teachers towards students,” the report said. “Similarly 7.1% of the grievances involve the lack of transparency and the practice of accepting bribes.”
Nearly 3.4% of the complaints dealt with the fact that many schools in K-P had been closed down. Furthermore, 5.6% of the complaints were against school principals whereas 2% dealt with the practice of corporal punishment at schools.
“About 5.6% of the complaints involved ‘misuse of power’ by teachers,” the document stated. “In addition, 2% concerned the presence of ghost schools whereas administrative problems with education boards constituted 2.3% of the total complaints received.”
A question of demography
According to the document released by the body, the complaints have been received from various parts of the province.
“The largest number of complaints was received from Peshawar,” the report said. “A total of 74 complaints were received from the provincial capital. Moreover, 45 complaints were received from Mardan.”
Similarly, 28 complaints were registered form Abbottabad, 13 from Bannu, two from Battagram, eight from Buner, 31 from Charsadda, five from Chitral, 10 from DI Khan, 15 from Lower Dir and 16 from Upper Dir. “Nine complaints each were received from Hangu and Haripur while 15 were received from Karak,” the document said. “Moreover, 11 complaints were received from Kohat, four from Kohistan, 26 from Lakki Marwat, 24 from Malakand, six from Mansehra, 21 from Nowshera, nine from Shangla, 24 from Swabi, 16 from Swat and seven from Tank.”
Education woes
Speaking to The Express Tribune K-P Education Complaint Cell Public Relations Officer Waqarullah Khan said complaints had been received through phone, text messages, email, letter and fax.
“We have resolved over half of the cases while some are under process,” Khan said. “We first review the complaints and subsequently forward them to the relevant authorities.”Khan said the complaint cell seeks to create a stronger interface between teachers and parents and streamline the quality of education at schools in the province.
“We strongly advise anyone who has grievances about the quality of education being offered at schools in K-P to register their complaint,” he said. “We will forward all complaints to the relevant authorities and see to it that they are promptly addressed.”
Published in The Express Tribune, February 6th, 2015.
Nearly 321 of the 428 complaints received by the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Education Complaint Cell have been resolved since it was set up over four months ago, stated a document issued by the body on Thursday.
The complaint cell was set up in September 2014. Under the initiative, the general public was urged to register any grievances they may have regarding elementary and higher education in the province.
According to a copy of the document available with The Express Tribune, of the complaints it has received between September 25, 2014 and February 4, 2015, 21 are currently in progress, 33 have been rejected while the remaining 53 are being reviewed.
Identifying trends
The complaint cell has also categorised the nature of the complaints it has received since September.
“Nearly 4.2% of the complaints were related to shortage of teachers at schools,” the document read. “Moreover, 11.5% of them involved the absence of teachers from schools.”
A total of 13.5% deal with problems surrounding the posting and recruitment of teachers while 21.6% are concerned with the absence of basic facilities at schools, stated the document.
Many complaints concerned administrative problems at schools across the province.
“Approximately 7.1% of the complaints we received dealt with the attitude of teachers towards students,” the report said. “Similarly 7.1% of the grievances involve the lack of transparency and the practice of accepting bribes.”
Nearly 3.4% of the complaints dealt with the fact that many schools in K-P had been closed down. Furthermore, 5.6% of the complaints were against school principals whereas 2% dealt with the practice of corporal punishment at schools.
“About 5.6% of the complaints involved ‘misuse of power’ by teachers,” the document stated. “In addition, 2% concerned the presence of ghost schools whereas administrative problems with education boards constituted 2.3% of the total complaints received.”
A question of demography
According to the document released by the body, the complaints have been received from various parts of the province.
“The largest number of complaints was received from Peshawar,” the report said. “A total of 74 complaints were received from the provincial capital. Moreover, 45 complaints were received from Mardan.”
Similarly, 28 complaints were registered form Abbottabad, 13 from Bannu, two from Battagram, eight from Buner, 31 from Charsadda, five from Chitral, 10 from DI Khan, 15 from Lower Dir and 16 from Upper Dir. “Nine complaints each were received from Hangu and Haripur while 15 were received from Karak,” the document said. “Moreover, 11 complaints were received from Kohat, four from Kohistan, 26 from Lakki Marwat, 24 from Malakand, six from Mansehra, 21 from Nowshera, nine from Shangla, 24 from Swabi, 16 from Swat and seven from Tank.”
Education woes
Speaking to The Express Tribune K-P Education Complaint Cell Public Relations Officer Waqarullah Khan said complaints had been received through phone, text messages, email, letter and fax.
“We have resolved over half of the cases while some are under process,” Khan said. “We first review the complaints and subsequently forward them to the relevant authorities.”Khan said the complaint cell seeks to create a stronger interface between teachers and parents and streamline the quality of education at schools in the province.
“We strongly advise anyone who has grievances about the quality of education being offered at schools in K-P to register their complaint,” he said. “We will forward all complaints to the relevant authorities and see to it that they are promptly addressed.”
Published in The Express Tribune, February 6th, 2015.