KARACHI, Dec 26: Following reports of misappropriations and malfunctioning of school management committees (SMCs), the Sindh education department has constituted an inquiry committee to investigate the matter.

According to sources in the provincial education department, representatives from local governments had submitted formal complaints alleging embezzlements in the SMC funds and abuse of power by heads of educational institutions. The inquiry committee would investigate the charge against the officers/officials allegedly involved in the violation of rules or misuse of the funds, the sources said.

The Sindh government renamed the parent-teacher associations of educational institutions as School/College Management Committees about a year ago. Among other aims and objectives, these bodies were entrusted with the responsibility of overseeing and managing the funds generated locally or provided by the government.

At present, according to official data, of the 43,035 primary, middle, secondary and higher secondary schools in the province, 16,528 have SMCs. The management committees comprise representatives of union councils, teachers, parents, NGOs/CBOs based in the areas and area notables.

Recently reports were received about violation of rules and objectives of the SMCs, and SMCs were accused of negligence and acting beyond their limits. In complaints about two schools in a taluka of Badin, it was said that teachers were drawing salaries without reporting on their jobs, and misappropriation was also alleged to have been committed in the purchase of furniture and teaching material, the sources said.

There were reports of misuse of government school buildings and grounds in many areas, including Karachi, but no official action has been taken to stop it. People from different areas have reported that school premises are being used for marriage ceremonies. This is not only a violation of law but it also leads to inappropriate use of facilities available there.

A senior government officer said when the government was relying heavily on school management committees and NGOs for monitoring and evaluation of school staff and students, the responsibility of the SMCs had become significant.

“We have even decided to give the SMCs the authority of appointing teachers in schools. As such any violation of rules or negligence on the part of the management committees would give a serious blow to the educational system,” he added.

The inquiry committee, according to a government notification issued a couple of days ago, would comprise the following persons:

Chairman: Prof Ilyas Soomro, Members-Deputy Secretary (development) Akhtar Hussain Bugti, District Education (Elementary) concerned and section officer Khursheed Hasnain.

The committee shall deal with specific cases. It would conduct an inquiry against the officers/ officials who are involved in the embezzlement/misappropriation in SMC funds and could impose major and minor penalty against officers/officials under the E&D rules.