KARACHI, Jan 15: A committee has been constituted by Sindh Education Department to merge over 550 elementary, secondary and higher secondary schools , along with four teacher training colleges of defunct Karachi Metropolitan Corporation and Karachi Development Authority, in city government's Education department.

The fate of 224 primary, 24 lower secondary and 27 higher secondary schools for female students, while that of 223 primary, 24 lower secondary and 28 higher secondary schools for male students, alongwith four teacher training colleges, will be decided by the committee, which is headed by Education department additional secretary.

Currently, these schools are being run by the Local Bodies wing of the city government, contrary to the Sindh Local Government Ordinance provision, saying that after devolution of power, these educational institutions will be run by city Education department.

A provincial Education department official informed PPI on Thursday that the committee had been formed on the directives of Sindh Education Minister Irfanullah Marwat, to resolve the administrative difficulties in payment of salaries and promotions of officials.

Comprising Education EDOs, representatives of Sindh Education department and Town administrations, the said committee would present its report within a month and decision regarding the merger and promotions of staff would be taken afterwards, he added.-PPI