October 07, 2008	Tuesday	Shawwal 7, 1429

KARACHI, Oct 6: Sindh Minister for Education and Literacy Pir Mazharul Haq has directed officials of his department to arrange ceremonies at all schools and colleges over the month in connection with the World Teachers Day.

He was speaking at a function organized at the DHA College to mark the occasion on Monday.

He underlined importance of public-private partnership with the aim of improving standard of education and condition of educational institutions.

He acknowledged that teachers were getting low salaries, and announced that the government had decided to upgrade their pay scale.

The pay scale of primary teachers is being raised from grade-9 to grade-15; of GST teachers from grade-15 to grade-16; and of HST teachers from grade-16 to grade-17, according to him.

Describing the teacher community as a “backbone of society”, the minister said that educators would be encouraged at every level.

Later, Pir Mazhar gave away certificates and shields to position-holders of the college.—PPI