KARACHI, April 2: Sindh Education Minister Irfanullah Marwat said on Friday the European Union had provided $40 million for improving primary education facilities and training of teachers in four districts of Sindh.

"These funds would be spent on improving conditions of primary educational institutions in Hyderabad, Thatta, Sukkur and Khairpur and 25 per cent of this money would be used for training of teachers," he said while talking to a delegation of teachers from Hyderabad here in his office.

Assuring the visiting delegation of fulfilment of their demands, he said primary teachers having BEd, MEd or any other higher education degree, would be given increments while senior and qualified teachers would appointed as supervisors.

Mr Marwat told the delegation that seniority lists of teachers would be prepared twice a year so that promotions were held regularly and without any delay while 399 suspended teachers from Hyderabad had been reinstated.

"In addition, for provision of health facilities to teachers, preparation of a health policy in collaboration with State Life Corporation is also under way", he added.

He said recruitment on contract was being held in all provinces in accordance with an agreement with donor agencies and the process was being carried out in a smooth and transparent manner.

"There is no allocation of seats or quota for any group in other provinces then why the teachers community is demanding quota in jobs in Sindh", he said, adding that if anybody had any doubt in the process of recruitment he would see results of tests and interviews.

The delegation, which was led-by Qazi Ehteshamul Haq Lutfi and Khalid Rasool said they were playing their role in provision of better education to students in Sindh and their body will continue supporting education minister.

"Other primary teachers boycotted the exams but we refused that way of protest nor we will do so in future", they said and lauded Sindh Education Minister's efforts for resolving problems confronting teachers' community in the province. - PPI