KARACHI, Aug 13: Sindh education minister Dr Hamida Khuhro has said that the culture of posting juniors at senior level in the department will not be allowed.

Merit will be restored at all levels, but district heads of education department would have to work hard to restore the system in its true sense, she said while addressing the executive district officers of education here on Friday.

Dr Khuhro said common perception is that teachers do not perform their duties, and buildings of government schools in rural areas have turned into "Autaqs" of influentials. Moreover, complaints of corruption and nepotism are on the rise, she added.

The education minister said that the district heads of education are responsible for such trends. She called upon the EDOs to work hard and make system effective and active by opening the closed schools.

She said that there was a need for establishing an active system of vigilance by surprise visits to ensure attendance of teachers. In this regard, she assured the administrative heads of departments that they would be provided full support.

She announced that from now the juniors, like HSTs and other lower level officials, would not be allowed to grab higher administrative posts and she would restore merit in postings in a true sense.

Regarding complaints about textbooks throughout Sindh, the chairman of the Sindh Text-Book Board, Anwar Ahmed Zai, briefed the minister that the board printed books for 2.6 million primary children as per data provided by the SEMIS, but now the field offices were demanding books for 2.9 million children.

Some senior officers also complained that at certain places, students informed the vigilance teams about short supply of textbooks by teachers. The minister ordered proper distribution of books and made it clear that those involved in the sale of free books will be removed from service.

Dr Khuhro ordered the EDOs to submit reports with regard to the functioning of branch schools and said that result- oriented branch schools will not be closed. On the occasion, some EDOs complained that teachers associations were playing a havoc with the system while some EDOs said that the heads of schools were frequently being misbehaved and threatened.

She asked the secretary of education to conduct a probe into the complaints and suggested action against such type of unions. She said that the donor agencies have complained about embezzlement of the funds provided to the SMEs and said that awareness among parents is needed.

Dr. Khuhro announced that she would bring district governments and the provincial education department closer for the promotion of education and in this regard she would soon hold meetings with District Nazims in Hyderabad. She told the EDOs to ensure teaching of English language from Class-1 without further delay. -APP