KARACHI, Oct 20: The Sindh Minister for Education and Literacy, Dr Hamida Khuhro, on Wednesday called upon donor agencies to support the provincial education department to overpower the drop-out ratio at the primary level. This, she observed while talking to the World Bank mission, that called on her at her office.

The minister, while laying stress on revamping and restructuring, particularly at the primary-level, called for creating mass awareness amongst people, and a comprehensive monitoring of reforms programme, in this context. She also called for introduction of vocational and technical teaching for students from the age of 14.

The minister called on the World Bank and other donor agencies to assist in building up the structure of leadership programme.

She also reassured the delegation members of the provincial government's commitment towards reforms being brought about with regard to restructuring and revamping of education in the province, and stated that the Sindh chief minister was totally committed to see the literacy ratio being raised in the province by supporting the programme.

The minister also apprised the mission of the need to make classrooms at schools attractive for children by providing them with computers and the latest education material.

The Sindh Additional Secretary, Iqbal Durrani, informed the mission members of financial constraints as the main reason of hindrance in implementing educational reforms.

He told that 16,000 schools were without shelter while hundreds others lacked potable water and other basic facilities.

The mission leader briefed the education minister and other officials of the success of educational reforms programme in the Punjab province.

Secretary Education Nadir Ali Markhiani, Special Secretary (Education) Syed Suhail Akbar Shah, and other concerned officers were also present on the occasion. - PPI