The Ombudsman of Sindh, Ajaz Ali Khan convened a meeting with the Secretary of the Sindh School Education & Literacy Department to deliberate on the progress of implementing recommendations outlined in the study titled “Issues of Girls’ Education in Sindh”. The Secretary highlighted the dire educational situation in Sindh, citing the prevalence of non-functional one-room schools, which have essentially become graveyards of education.
With approximately 25,000 one-room schools among a total of 36,000 primary schools in the province, she stressed the urgent need to replace these ineffective educational facilities with more impactful alternatives. This action aims to address the significant challenges of out-of-school children, high dropout rates, and gender disparities.
Additionally, she emphasized the necessity of increasing the number of female teachers and implementing measures such as stipends, scholarships, and transportation to encourage girls’ enrollment and retention, particularly in priority districts. Furthermore, she advocated for public-private partnerships to enhance the attendance of female students and teachers and ensure sustainable quality education.
Discussing innovative solutions, she proposed adopting the low-cost housing model for the construction of Low-Cost Community Based Schools, initially comprising 50 schools with six rooms each. This approach promises cost-effectiveness, reduced construction time, and improved quality compared to conventional structures. The Secretary also addressed administrative issues, suggesting the rationalization of roles to streamline school management. She proposed replacing the Taluka Education Officer position with properly rationalized School Nutrition Education (SNE) staff for smoother operations.
Ajaz Ali Khan, the Ombudsman of Sindh, endorsed the Secretary’s proposals, emphasizing their importance for implementing the study’s recommendations. He underscored the need for adequate physical infrastructure, female teachers in girls’ schools, optimized staff allocations, and other critical factors to maintain educational standards.
Furthermore, the Secretary highlighted initiatives such as “Teacher Licensing” and evening classes for girls under the Directorate of Literacy and Non-Formal Education. The Ombudsman expressed concern over textbook availability and directed the Secretary to ensure timely provision before the start of the new session. Additionally, he stressed the importance of accurate data collection for out-of-school children and training for newly appointed teachers, alongside proper monitoring and disciplinary actions against absentee teachers.
Lastly, the Ombudsman instructed the Secretary to address issues related to the posting and replacement of retired teachers, ensuring timely notifications to prevent school closures. He also urged the department to engage with Education Management Organizations (EMOs) to tackle concerns such as teacher appointments and enrollment increases effectively.
