KARACHI, Feb 15: The Executive District Officer of Schools, Haider Ali Novien, has said the existing system of monitoring primary and elementary schools was failing to deliver any good and required an overhauling.

At a briefing arranged for newsmen at his office on Wednesday, Mr Haider said supervisors, who were meant to oversee teaching and related affairs in government-run schools, were being asked to increase their efficiency so that the issue related to quality of education could be addressed on priority basis, and so that an environment conducive to teachers and students could be ensured.

At present, about 240 supervisors are working with the district education office, he added.

He said each supervisor would have under his authority over 12-15 schools, which he or she will visit every week. The supervisors would examine the attendance of teachers and students and availability of other facilities, and report to their superiors for further action.

He said the government was endeavouring for enhancing the standard of education at primary and elementary schools, which provide basis for a good high school and further studies to students.

“We are also considering involving the private sector, union councils and NGOs in the process of refurbishing and supervising the schools in question,” he added.

He said his office was also preparing a scheme of renovation and construction of government schools under which at least two schools, one for girls and one for boys, would be focussed and improved as model schools.

“Initially, we will start working on 36 dilapidated buildings in all 18 towns of the city, which would be provided with experienced and responsible teachers as well,” he mentioned.

He said under some notifications, teachers at secondary schools were required to wear gowns during school hours, while on the other hand, there was restriction on smoking by teachers and students in schools, which should be adhered to to uphold sanctity and bring discipline in educational institutions.

He said tenders regarding procurement of furniture for schools were re-advertised only to ensure more transparency and participation of bidders. The number of parties who had submitted quotations had increased from 10 to 17, he added.

He further said the lists of about 1,730 schoolteachers, including 179 Arabic language teachers, who were upgraded about two months back through departmental promotion committee, would be handed over to the accountant general Sindh’s office in a day or two, after which teachers would start getting salaries as per their new pay scales.

“I had earlier withheld the list for some verification,” he informed, saying that the leftover deserving cases, which could not be considered before, would be placed before the promotion committee soon.