KARACHI, March 10: Sindh Chief Minister Sardar Ali Muhammad Khan Mahar on Wednesday said role of educationists, intellectuals, writers and media can not be ignored if education is to be properly promoted.

Addressing a delegation of educationists, and journalists, which called on him at CM House, he said provincial government was endeavouring to promote and upgrade the standard of education besides making it available throughout the province with a particular commitment towards female education.

The Chief Minister made it clear that neither any compromise would be made on quality of education nor would the government succumb to any blackmailing. He said that teachers associations were putting pressure on government just like traditional trade unions, by boycotting examinations but, he added that they should remember that they were doing injustice with children of the nation for their interests.

Sardar Mahar said strict action would be taken against them. However, if these teachers were not happy with their employment they should resign from their jobs, and government would recruit talented youths on merit in their place, he added.

He reiterated that all urban and rural quotas of Sindh in education department had been abolished and said when he did not retain his own quota then there was no question for others.

He pointed out that teachers have a respectable status in society and their genuine grievances would be duly addressed for which a a meeting had been convened.

He specified that various committees had been constituted to improve the infrastructure from primary to university levels and to identify failures and problems, while constitution of Provincial Co-ordination Council comprising personalities from different walks of life, was under serious consideration.

Prominent educationist Asif Ali Qazi while lauding the steps of government stressed that an elaborate plan to improve the quality of education, was needed from primary to university level.

Prof Saeeda Bashir recommended that a meeting of heads of educational institutions from all levels should be held. Prof Inam Shaikh suggested that copying in examination be declared heinous crime by passing a bill in assembly to eliminate copy culture from society.

Prof Rafia called for proper training facilities for teachers. Prof Rajab Ali Memon said those districts which were far behind in the field of education, special attention should be paid to bring them to the level of other districts.

Vice Chancellor of Quaid-e-Azam University Dr A A Junejo, Dr. Habibullah Siddiqui, Noor Ahmed Memon from Sindh Academy, Syed Zulfiqar and Editor Halchal, Muhesh Kumar presented their recommendations in the meeting. Sindh Education Minister Irfanullah Khan Marwat, Minister Auqaf Dr Irfan Gul Magsi also attended the meeting. - PPI