KARACHI, Oct 23: Sindh Education Minister Irfanullah Marwat on Thursday at a high-level meeting deplored that despite government efforts, there was no visible change in the attitude of the education department officials towards betterment of education as well as their own performance.

“We are repeatedly receiving complaints about misuse of School Management Committees’ (SMC) funds. If officials of the department are not willing to work honestly, they should quit their jobs,” he said while presiding over a meeting with all assistant district officers (ADOs) of the department.

Taking serious notice of the absence of teachers from schools and complaints regarding misuse of SMC funds, he warned that any teacher or official found absent or involved in misuse of funds during the surprise visits expected to be made by him or Sindh education secretary, would immediately be sacked.

On the occasion, Mr Marwat ordered termination of ADO (male), Orangi Town, for his alleged involvement in embezzlement of SMC funds and absence of teachers, and also ordered transfer of ADO, Landhi Town, for misinforming about use of SMC funds.

Mr Marwat further asked all ADOs to report details of the use of SMC funds within 10 days and warned them to control the trend of absence from schools among teachers, otherwise they (ADOs) would be held responsible for it and disciplinary action would be taken against them. He also ordered the termination of services of teachers remaining absent from schools.

Criticizing education officials for misinforming the government about literacy in the province, he said reports prepared by the officials were “incorrect” and directed them to present actual figures.

“ADOs should also visit schools in their areas regularly, check attendance and report their visits,” he said and asked the ADO (female), Saddar Town, to prepare actual reports of visits. He said a team would be formed to visit the schools under the female ADO and submit the report. If the report given by ADO was found incorrect, then strict action would be taken against the official, he added

Mr Marwat further asked the officials to thoroughly examine the documents of officials transferred from interior of Sindh to Karachi, saying that many people were serving in the department on fake documents.

“Officials should personally monitor the development activities being carried out at schools and lower grade officials should immediately be removed from posts of higher grade,” he said and assured that genuine problems confronting the officials would be resolved on priority basis.

The meeting was also attended by Education Secretary Ghulam Ali Pasha, EDO schools and senior officials of the department.—PPI/APP