KARACHI: Interview bodies soon to appoint lecturers
KARACHI, Aug 11: The Sindh education minister, Dr Hamida Khuhro, on Wednesday said fresh interview committees were being set up to finalize the appointment of 751 lecturers in provincial colleges.
This is being done owing to "a large number of complaints" received by her in this regarding, she said.
"I have complete faith in the written tests conducted by a private higher educational institution, but complaints have been received regarding favouritism and nepotism during interviews.
I have got some time, and it has been decided that fresh interview committees will be constituted to re-conduct interviews and finalize the recruitment process of lecturers," she said, while talking to PPI at her office.
Defending the denationalization of St Patrick's and St Joseph's colleges, she said only teachers were "worried and opposing" the denationalization of educational institutions, as "they did not want to work and perform their responsibilities honestly."
"Parents and students are not against the process of denationalization. In fact, they are supporting the move, as it would give parents options and choices to get their children enrolled at institutions imparting quality education," she claimed.
She maintained that these two colleges were "on the verge of collapse", and the decision was taken keeping in view their condition and the poor quality education being imparted there. The decision was also aimed at enhancing the standard of education in the province.
"As a matter of policy, the process of denationalization is justified and favours the improvement of the standard of education in Sindh. Denationalized colleges will not be commercialized, and will provide alternatives to students," she maintained.
To a query regarding increase in fees by the administration of denationalized colleges, she said that missionary schools and colleges do not over-charge, as they were run purely on philanthropic principles.
Regarding the absence of teaching staff at public schools and colleges, she informed that a system for regularly checking the presence of teaching staff would be devised. Besides, she would also conduct surprise visits to ascertain the situation for herself, she added.
Dr Khuhro was of the view that parents should cooperate with the education department and inform about teachers who do not show up, adding that harsh action would be taken against them.
Admitting the fact that the system was "corrupt" to a large extent, she said problems would be dealt with step by step. Replying to another question regarding affairs of private schools, she said, there was ambiguity in the system as whether affairs of private schools would be looked after by the education department of the Sindh government or the City District Government Karachi.
The minister maintained that getting all children of the province enrolled at schools, and making the School Management Committees (SMCs) functional were among her top priorities, but it would take some time.
To another query, she said that some corrupt officials of the Sindh Textbook Board (STB) were removed and if felt necessary, their cases would be sent to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for investigation and prosecution.
She said funds were being managed to construct buildings for shelterless schools, and provision of all necessary facilities including drinking water, lavatories and furniture for schools. Regarding replacement of the Sindh Secretary Education, she termed it a "routine re-shuffle". - PPI
