‘Education is only weapon to fight against terrorism’

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah has said that the recruitment in education department must be made on merit. "Education is the only weapon through which an effective war could be waged against terrorism. Therefore, I won't allow any body to compromise on merit."

This he said while presiding over a meeting of $66 million World Bank- assisted `Sindh Global Partnership for Education (SGPE)' programme here at the CM House today. Those who attended the meeting include Senior Minister Nisar Khuhro, Chief Secretary Siddique Memon, Secretary to CM ( U&B) Iqbal Durani, Secretary Education Fazalullah Pechuho, Secretary Finance Sohail Rajput and others.

He said that there were still reports that over 3000 schools were closed in the province. On this Senior Minister Education Nisar Khuhro said that there were 1100 non-viable schools in the province which cannot be allowed to function. "During the tenure of General Musharraf the nazims had constructed these schools unnecessarily. In a village of 200 population four to five schools have been constructed," he explained.

The chief minister directed the chief secretary to get a detailed list of 1100 non-viable schools buildings so that they could be given used in the public interest. "The list may be provided with necessary recommendations," he said. The secretary education said that due to shortage of teaching staff around 2500 schools were closed all over Sindh. "We would start recruitment once the government is pleased to lift the ban," he said. He also added that when Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah took over for his second term 8000 schools were closed. "With the constant efforts of the government most of the closed schools have been made function and still 2500 are to be made operational," he said. The chief minister pointed out that most of the schools were over staffed, therefore rationalization of the staff should be made in such a way so that extra staff members of one school could be sent to the closed schools to make them operational. He directed Minister for Eduaction Nisar Khuhro to personally supervise the rationalisation process.