THE District Education Performance Index Report released recently (Aug 23) by the Planning Commission has portrayed a sorry state of education affairs and an alarming situation of school education system in Pakistan.

According to the report, none of the 134 districts falls within the very high performance category, which merely features Islamabad. More than half of the districts that fall in the low performance category are in Balochistan (33) and in Sindh (22).

After the passage of the 18th Amendment to the Constitution, administrative and financial powers have been devolved to the provinces. Each province has taken steps to improve the existing infrastructure and available facilities for enhancing the standard of education.

As far as education in Sindh province is concerned, the government has enacted a compulsory education law, increased budgetary allocation for school education, recruited thousands of school teachers in different grades, released substantial funds to school management committees, and distributed free textbooks. Despite all this, where does the fault lie?

In Sindh, on ground, the position is that out of 49,103 schools, employing 133,000 teachers, only 36,659 schools are func-

tional. According to recent data, 5,159 schools are shelterless, 26,260 schools have no drinking water facility, 19,469 schools lack washroom facilities, 21,000 schools are without a boundary wall, and 31,000 schools are without electricity.

Likewise, on the administrative side, shortcomings are non-professional sup-ervision, absentee teachers in large number, outdated teaching skills, political interference in the process of transfers and postings, and overall bad governance.

For moving up to the high performance category from the current low performance category, a lot of extra efforts are needed to address all the relevant issues through a multipronged approach.

This comprehensive strategy, once in place, must include plans to improve infrastructure, provide basic facilities, professional training to teachers that keep them updated with the latest teaching methodologies, regular performance evaluation, review of curriculum, efficient management in financial matters, timely supply of textbooks to all schools, espe-cially those located in remote areas of the province, and an effective supervisory role of all officials posted at various tiers.

Shams Jafrani
Karachi

Published in Dawn, September 14th, 2024

Opinion

Editorial

Palestine MPC
Updated 09 Oct, 2024

Palestine MPC

It's a matter of concern that PTI did not attend the Palestine MPC. Political differences should be put aside when showing solidarity with Palestine.
A welcome reform
09 Oct, 2024

A welcome reform

THE Punjab government’s decision to abolish the corruption-ridden and inefficient food department, and replace it...
Water paradox
09 Oct, 2024

Water paradox

A FULLY fledged water crisis is unfolding across the world, with 2023 recorded as the driest year for rivers in over...
Terrorism upsurge
Updated 08 Oct, 2024

Terrorism upsurge

The state cannot afford major security lapses. It may well be that the Chinese nationals were targeted to sabotage SCO event.
Ban hammer
08 Oct, 2024

Ban hammer

THE decision to ban the PTM under the Anti-Terrorism Act is yet another ill-advised move by the state. Although the...
Water tensions
08 Oct, 2024

Water tensions

THE unresolved tensions over Indus water distribution under the 1991 Water Apportionment Accord demand a revision of...