DADU, Nov 13: Majority of children in rural Sindh have to work due to poverty and lack of educational facilities, said social worker Bakht Jamal Soomro, while speaking at a seminar on “Protection of the rights of vulnerable children” at the K.G High School here on Tuesday.

He said there were 70 million children under the age of 18 years in Pakistan, including 35 million girls, with 25 million of school-going age.

He said according to official figures there were 3.3 million child labour while, unofficial estimates place it at eight million. Bakhat Jamal said due to corruption and nepotism around 400 schools were lying closed in Dadu district and buildings being used as Otaqs or cattle pens.

Another speaker Abdul Hakeem said Regional Director, Ombudsman Dadu Office had received over 200 corruption and maladministration complaints against the Education Department officials.

He said primary teachers were paying Rs1,500 to Rs2,000 to the EDO and other officials in return for not performing their duties in remote areas. He said due to official negligence over 60,000 children were without schools.

Protection Manager SPARC, Kashif Bajeer said approximately 4,000 children were languishing in over-crowded jails. He said behaviour of jail administrations was not good with children.

Syed Sohbat Ali Shah demanded of the government to take notice and provide education to all school children in Pakistan, particularly in Sindh.

Imam Bux Solangi alleged the education officials of misusing funds of the Asian Development Bank and others.

Ghulam Nabi Rustamani and Ashique Dadvi also expressed their views. A large number of primary teachers, social workers and education officials attended the seminar.