Pir says 1100 schools in Sindh upgraded

Hyderabad: Senior Sindh Minister for Education Pir Mazharul Haq has said that 800 primary schools and 300 elementary schools have been upgraded in the province to provide student better facilities near their homes.

Talking to media at a seminar on “Free Education Health & Safety Standard in Schools” organized by Sindh Education & Literacy Department in collaboration with UNESCO (United Nation Educational Scientific & Cultural Organization) at Public School Latifabad on Wednesday, he said presently there is big gap between primary and secondary schools, as 91% schools in the province were primary schools as compared to just 9% secondary schools.

He said the sitting government has almost tripled the education budget. He said that a Master Plan has been prepared to provide lavatory and hygienic facilities in all schools. He said that under the 18th Amendment education to children up to age from 5 to 16 years of age has become free and compulsory in all provinces whereas the legislation in this regard in Sindh Assembly was in progress to implement on the Article in letter & spirit.

He said that under this act not only the government has been made bound to provide free education but the enrollment of the children having age in between 5 to 16 has also been made compulsory. He said that in case of violation or refusal, the parents should have to face punishment of five or fine with imprisonment.

To a question about action against ghost teachers, he said that out of 353 ghost teachers, 325 were still working in different media organizations.

To a question about recruitment of the teachers, he said recruitment would be completely on merit.