Public sector education system of Sindh portrays gloomy picture in all dimensions. Alarge budget of Rs. 208.23 billion is fixed for current fiscal year but there has not been seen a satisfactory progress for quality education. All the reports of national and international organisations working on education sector in Pakistan, particularly in Sindh make us worry that things are going to be worst. Although Sindh’s education department is divided in many sub-departments and agencies, their progress suggests that policymakers are either incompetent or lack sincere spirit of working towards the betterment of public sector education.
The current report of World Bank regarding basic facilities provided to schools shows that Sindh’s schools are with 23 percent of basic facilities while Punjab tops the list with 93 percent of basic facilities. Moreover, 44 percent schools of KPK are facilitated with basic necessities.
It has been accepted as a universal truth that foundations of welfare societies and nations are built upon the pillars of education.
An official report of Sindh education department, presented before CM Sindh, last year reveals that there are 5000 closed schools in Sindh; while another official report recently submitted in Sindh High Court reveals that 11850 public sector primary schools out of 38132 are “non-viable”. Whereas, another report of AFP, considered a well-grounded report,shows that there are 7000 “ghost schools” in Sindh.This term is used for those schools which are only present in papers.
Keeping in view both official and unofficial reports, it can be easily deduced that approximately 30000 primary schools are functional where 47 percent children are taught by one teacher and 50 percent children are enrolled to drop out before completing their primary education with only 23 percent of basic facilities for 12 million children of Sindh.
In future, fresh candidates, free from graft, greed and political influence should be recruited by a trustworthy recruiting organisation
Unfortunately, Sindh is the only province of Pakistan where 6 million children are already out of school. Despite providing running schools basic facilities, trained teachers and qualified administrators,policymakers of Sindh education department make ineffectual policies and depend upon paper work.Immense amount of education budget is wasted on worthless projects. Unnecessary organisations and agencies like Reform Support Unit, Local Support Unit, Sindh Education Foundation and Sindh Basic Education Program are a burden. These sub-departments were established to provide policy inputs for advancement of educational growth and access of quality education. Almost one and half a decade has completed since their establishment, but nothing has been delivered. Where government schools are fully functional with all their merits-demerits; SEF schools are established.This strategy heralds the mismanagement, incompetence and dishonest dealings of officials at the helm; moreover,public-private partnership program of Sindh Education department is also seen with the eyes of dishonest means.
Too many cooks spoil the broth; exercise of establishing institutions for monitoring and evaluating other institutions have been practiced for providing lucrative posts only to dear ones of those at the helm.
Nepotism and favouritism exist in Sindh government with its all dirty faces.Cronies can only give good treat and delicious dinner; providing positive results by evaluating ground realities is not business of day-dreamers. Goal of improving and enhancing the quality education and strengthening the public sector schools can only be achieved by valuing merit and proficiency.
Performance of teachers recruited by SIBA Testing Service, SUTS and NTS is praised wholeheartedly throughout the province. While head masters and head mistresses recruited by SIBA have brought about revolutionary changes in status quo of Sindh’s education system at primary level. Assigned schools have now become exemplary public sector institutions throughout the province. Punctuality of time, regularity of staff, introduction to period system and scheme of studies, conduction of tests, celebration of days, functioning of ECE classes, opening libraries, involvement of community and applying some other modern learning techniques in schools are some marks of identity of their work. They do this by generating their own resources. What sub-institutions of Sindh Education department have not done in a decade; they have done more than that. For the sake of improving and enhancing quality education, it is expected that they will be honoured with confirmation of their posts by the provincial assembly.
Political influence, nepotism, cronyism and corruption have persistently contributed towards the collapse of education system. Merit is the only cure to overcome these diseases. The sinking boat could be steering towards safer shores by filling all administrative and teaching posts through merit. In future, fresh candidates, free from graft, greed and political influence should be recruited by a trustworthy recruiting organisation. Noother solutionapart from merit persists to save Sindh’s education system.
The writer is a freelance contributor
Published in Daily Times, March 24th 2019.