KARACHI: Sindh High Court Chief Justice Ahmed Ali M. Shaikh has summoned the education secretary directing him to file comments over lack of basic facilities in schools in interior Sindh.

Earlier, the chief justice had taken notice of media reports about lack of basic facilities at government schools in taluka Jati, Sujawal and Faridabad, Dadu as well as non-availability of vaccine at a health centre in Badin and construction of a building for college in Kario Ghanwar in Badin.

On the directives of the chief justice, the district and sessions judge (Sujawal) filed a report and after perusing it, the chief justice directed the education secretary and district education officer (DEO) to ensure the posting of a teacher at the school as well as the construction of the school building.

Both officials were also directed to comply with these directives and appear in person before the chief justice on Nov 22 along with the relevant record.

The district and sessions judge (Dadu) also submitted a report about shortage of basic facilities at the girls’ school in Faridabad, Dadu and after examining it, the chief justice called comments from the education secretary and district education officer (DEO) within a week.

Similarly, on the directive of the SHC, the deputy commissioner and district health officer, Badin, submitted a report regarding lack of rabies vaccine at Khoski health centre.

It stated that the vaccine was available in all the hospitals and health centres of the district apart from two centres due to electricity issues.

Subsequently, the chief justice called comments from the chief executive officer of the Hyderabad Electric Supply Company.

In August, the chief justice had called progress report from secretaries of education and finance regarding the construction of a college building in Badin, but they remained unable to come up with the reports within the stipulated period. The SHC again directed them to file a progress report at the earliest.

Published in Dawn, November 18th, 2018