Sindh Education Minister Syed Sardar Shah said 92 percent of the school education budget is being spent on salaries and pensions, warning that the sector has become more of an employment source than a system focused on learning.
Speaking in the Sindh Assembly while responding to written and verbal questions from lawmakers, Shah said the provincial government had initially planned to recruit 50,000 teachers in 2021. So far, 95,000 teachers have received offer letters. He added that about 31,000 candidates are still waiting for recruitment.
In response to a verbal question from Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) lawmaker Qurat-Ul-Ain Khan, Shah said the government has allocated more than Rs. 18 billion for schools and has authorized principals to spend the funds on daily needs.
He said there are 1,236 primary schools across the seven districts of Karachi. Of these, 1,194 have buildings, including 1589 that have been reported as dangerous. He added that the city has 375 secondary schools, of which 41 have been declared dangerous.
Overall, Shah said 233 primary and secondary schools in Karachi have been declared unsafe, and Rs. 4,156 million are required for repairs.
Responding to further questions, Shah acknowledged that libraries and science laboratories are scarce, particularly in primary schools. He also admitted that many school buildings require repairs following roof collapses.
The minister said around 30 million children attend private schools nationwide, where teachers earn only Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 12,000 per month.
He stated that girls’ enrollment in the province stands at 42 percent.
Shah also said that many opposition members have adopted schools, calling it a positive practice that should be appreciated.
MQM-P lawmaker Sabir Qaim Khani said schools need major improvements and reported that the roofs of two schools in his constituency had collapsed and require repair.
In response to another question, Shah said no teaching is taking place in schools declared dangerous and added that the reports about such schools are three years old.
MQM-P’s Rashid Khan said teachers from other cities are being recruited in Hyderabad.
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