HYDERABAD, June 23: About 122 intellectuals, writers and teachers have called upon the Sindh governor to continue the practice of assessment of Urdu (compulsory) answer copies of class-XI by Sindhi teachers. In a statement issued here on Wednesday, they said in many colleges and higher secondary schools, Urdu compulsory subject was being taught by Sindhi teachers who also assessed the answer copies.

They said the practice had been in vogue for 32 years and urged the Sindh governor to review its decision in this regard.

They said as per the 1972 Sindhi Language Bill, compulsory Sindhi subject was made mandatory for students who did not know Sindhi.

They said teaching Sindhi in schools and colleges would create unity and harmony among the permanent residents of Sindh.

Those who signed the statement included, Ibrahim Joyo, Prof Liaquat Aziz, Dr Shams Ursani, Prof Nazeer Pathan, Prof Amir Ali Qadri, Prof Ishaque Jamali, Taj Joyo, Zeb Sindhi, Dr Anwar Figar Hakro, Dr Tahmina Mufti and Amar Sindhu.

ASP: The Anjuman Asataza-i-Pakistan, Sindh chapter, at a meeting on Wednesday acknowledged the services of Sindh education minister Dr Hameeda Khuhro.

The meeting drew the attention of the minister to ten year ban on transfer of lecturers, librarians and director physical training who had been appointed in 2002 through the Sindh public service examination.