HYDERABAD, Aug 24: Sindh Education Minister Hameeda Khuhro has said the government will use its hire and fire authority to ensure quality education. Talking to journalists at the circuit house here on Monday , she warned that those who were not performing their duties properly would be removed from service.

She said that in future, recruitment in the education department would be made on merit and on contract basis for three years, which could be extended on performance of incumbents.

She said her ministry had decided to ensure a monitoring system in the department as there were complaints about ghost staff. She appealed to people to assist the government in this regard to ensure proper attendance of teachers.

Replying to a question, she said she would not tolerate illegal activities and unnecessary demands of teachers' associations. However, she added, their positive role in improving the quality of education would be appreciated.

She said though the private sector had filled the educational vacuum, it was the responsibility of the government to provide quality education, especially in backward areas. The minister said the curriculum of the primary education was being reexamined and it would be streamlined.

When asked about the recent recruitment of lecturers through the Sindh Public Service Commission and her orders to rescind recommendations of the SPSC, she said she did not know that the SPSC had conducted any test to assess the merit of candidates.

However, she reiterated that recruitment in the department would be made only on merit and no one would be allowed to interfere in this process.

About compulsory English subject from class-I to class-V, she claimed that English was the main source to improve the standard of education. However, she made it clear that mother tongue would also be encouraged at the primary level.

She told a questioner that a survey was being conducted to know the number of vacant teaching posts and about ghost teachers in the department.

INTELLECTUALS: Later, the education minister met intellectuals and educationists who recommended uniformity in the education system and use of mother tongue at the primary level to improve the standard of education and increase the literacy rate.

The meeting, attended by Dr Nabi Bux Khan Baloch , Ibrahim Joyo, Dr G. A. Allana, Ghulam Nabi Mughal, Imdad Hussaini and others, discussed various shortcomings and irregularities in the department.

Speaking at the meeting, the minister expressed concern over the poor standard of education, specially in rural areas.

She invited proposals from the intellectuals in redesigning syllabus.

Dr Allana stressed the need for ensuring teachers' training, hiring services of experts, disallowing private institutions to conduct PTC and B.Ed courses and taking action against teachers working as journalists and establishing open schools.

Dr Baloch called for restoring the credibility of government schools, enhancing women's literacy rate by providing them with facilities and ensuring participation of people in bettering the education system.

The minister assured the intellectuals that their suggestions would be considered and incorporated in the future planning to improve the standard of education.