THATTA, Nov 21: Speakers at a seminar have expressed concern over closure of about 1,519 primary schools of the 3,000 in Thatta and called for concrete measures to streamline the declining graph of education in the district. The one-day seminar under the title of ‘Declining Graph of Primary Education and Strategies’ was jointly conducted by the district political workers steering committee (DPWSC) and Strengthening Participatory Organisation (SPO) here at Makli Gymkhana on Wednesday. The committee includes Sindh Taraqqi Pasand Party, JSQM, PML-N, JI and the ruling PPP.

The speakers were of the unanimous view that urgent steps were required to addresses the issue prior to reaching the point of no return.

DPWIC convener Gayas Ahmed Memon said massive corruption in the district education department and irresponsible attitude of parents were reasons of the deteriorating condition of the primary education in Thatta district.

Mrs Raheema Panhwer, a programme specialist of the SPO, said that despite huge funds provided to the education department, the nation had failed to get any positive results and the situation required special attention of all stakeholders.

Nawaz Khan Zour, central leader of Jeay Sindh Mahaz (Aresar Group), said people of almost all walks of life, unionists’ bodies of APCA and GSTA, and civil society were required to help get rid of the problem.

Gayas Memon disclosed that as per official statistics, some 766 schools, and according to non-official statistics, 1,519 schools of the 3,000 schools were lying defunct.

He said school buildings were being used as Otaqs (drawing rooms) of local waderas, and cattle pens and bulk storage houses of the politically influential people.

Ashiq Memon, an official of district education department, said unnecessary political intervention and intervention of influential political people was one the major reasons of the deteriorating education in the district.

Underlining the importance of a joint advocacy campaign, consensus and struggle to save the future of coming generation, the speakers agreed that only appropriate measures could help streamline the primary education in Thatta district.

Ayaz Kaka, Ghulam Nabi Khushk and Mohram Khashlei also spoke on the occasion.