KARACHI, Feb 7: Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim has called for taking steps on emergency basis to improve the standard of education in the province.

He stated this while talking to Sindh Education Minister Dr Hamida Khuhro, who called on him at the Chief Minister House here on Tuesday.

Dr Arbab asked the minister to conduct surprise visits of schools and other educational institutions. He also emphasised the need for improving the system of education as well as attendance of teachers and called for initiating action against absent teachers.

He said that the recruitment of primary and secondary school teachers as well as lecturers must be on the basis of merit. Similarly, competent officers should be appointed for the post of EDOs, he added.

He was of the view that one of the reasons for the declining standard of education was the irregularities in the recruitment of teachers.

Meanwhile, Balochistan Governor Owais Ahmed Ghani called on the Sindh chief minister at the Chief Minister House.

At the meeting matters of mutual interest came under discussion. Dr Arbab apprised the Balochistan governor of the various ongoing development projects in Sindh.

He said that record development works were being carried out in Sindh and that a network of roads was being laid in order to provide better transport facilities to the people.

Dr Arbab also exchanged views with Owais Ghani on the overall situation in Balochistan.

JAPANESE ENVOY: The Japanese Ambassador in Pakistan, Nobuaki Tanaka, met Dr Arbab at the Chief Minister House and both exchanged views on matters of mutual interests.