KARACHI, July 27: The Catholic Board of Education, seeking denationalisation of two government colleges in the city , has once again approached the Sindh government for withdrawal of the condition of golden handshake for teaching and non-teaching employees.
A source in the education department said that a similar plea by the Catholic Board of Education had been turned down twice by the Sindh government in the past in respect of denationalisation of St Joseph's and St Patrick's colleges.
In line with a government decision taken in August 2001, the Sindh Education department had been asking the private parties, among other prerequisites for denationalisation, to retain the staff of the concerned educational institutions before denationalisation for at least one year; and if they (the new owner) do not need their services after one year, they should contribute 50 per cent towards golden handshake to staff members.
Sources in the education department said the Catholic Board, which intends to take over these two institutions, has approached the government for some releaxation. It had offered to retain 75 per cent of the existing staff of the two colleges for a period of five years, but was not willing to meet financial obligations set by the government. It does not want to pay any golden handshake to employees, added the source.
In the meantime, it was learnt that the offer of the private party was being placed before the Sindh cabinet for consideration for a final say in its Wednesday meeting.
Meanwhile, the Sindh Education Department has decided in principle to hand over two nationalised colleges in Karachi - St Joseph's and the St Patrick's - to its previous owners. A decision in this regard will be taken in the Sindh cabinet's meeting to be held on July 28, adds PPI.
A delegation of the Catholic Board of Education comprising Marry Emley, Ms Osmin Masscaarah, and Mr Menia Rodrigees on Tuesday called on Sindh Education Minister Dr Hamida Khuhro, and discussed issues relating to denationalisation of the institutions.
Dr Hamida informed the delegation that the government would adopt a transparent and merit based policy whenever any school or college was given back to its actual owner, and added that while doing so, the interest of the teachers shall be given due importance.
However, sources in the education department told PPI that the decision to hand over the two institutions was taken at the highest level and now the Sindh cabinet had to formally approve it.
"All issues and arrangements have been finalised and the meeting between the education minister and representatives of the missionary institutions was part of the deal," they added.
A spokesman for the education department, when contacted, confirmed that the issue of handing over St Joseph's and St Patrick's colleges would be discussed and finalised in Wednesday's cabinet meeting.
"In fact the deal has already been finalised and the cabinet has only to endorse it," he said, adding the fate of other such institutions would be decided after observing the reaction of teachers and students.
According to him, the conditions set by the education department for denationalisation of institutions included golden handshake to 50 per cent employees, or 12-months salary to the employee to be sacked. He informed that the Sindh Education Department had received about 43 applications for the return of nationalised schools and colleges in the city.