KARACHI: Caretaker Chief Minister retired Justice Maqbool Baqar on Tuesday suspended the director general (DG) of colleges, and the principal and vice principal of a girls’ college in district Central for their alleged negligence, lack of interest and failure to promote educational activities.

The action was taken following a surprise visit to the Government Girls Degree College, Al-Noor, where the CM found empty classes with desks, laboratory and washrooms in a dilapidated condition.

He also found that not a single lab in the college was functional.

Justice Baqar asked DG-Colleges Shadab Hussain if he had ever visited the said college. Upon which Mr Hussain replied in the negative.

Decision taken after CM found staff absent, lack of facilities at Govt Girls College Al-Noor

The CM asked him as to how students would come to a college where washrooms lacked doors and running water.

College principal Zahida Begum informed the CM that 300 students were enrolled in the college, but record showed that the number of students was 390.

The principal also had no knowledge of the sanctioned strength of the teaching staff and when the vice principal was called she also expressed ignorance about the total number of the staff.

While most of the staff members were found absent, the chief minister was told that a teacher of Islamic Studies, Ishratul Ain, had not come to work for the past one year.

The CM went from class to class and found that out of the 390 students, only 40 or 50 were present. Only an English teacher was seen taking a class. The CM appreciated and lauded her method of teaching.

He came to know that it was a degree college, but education was imparted up to the intermediate level.

Later, the chief minister ordered the suspension of the services of the DG-Colleges, principal and vice-principal.

He also suspended the services of the Islamic Studies lecturer who was absent from duty for the past one year.

Inaugurates education facility

The chief minister inaugurated House of Education School established for free education of children by the JDC Foundation.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, he said that JDC and its head Zafar Abbas had valuable services in the field of education. “JDC is equipping children with the jewel of education through free IT course,” he said, adding that he was happy to learn that absolutely free education was being imparted here.

Also on Tuesday, the CM visited two parks — Bagh-i-Saman and Noorani Park — in district Centra and directed the authorities to develop and open the facilities for public at the earliest.

Meanwhile, on way back to CM House, the chief minister visited the Sindh Govt Hospital Liaquatabad where he found comparatively better hygienic conditions.

The CM took round of the old Covid-19 wards and directed the hospital officials to utilise the wards for other patients.

He went to the kitchen where food was prepared for 100 patients twice a day. He directed the administration to renovate it and keep it clean properly.

Published in Dawn, September 27th, 2023