Sindh’s Education Minister, Sardar Ali Shah, announced on Saturday that the provincial government is taking “revolutionary steps” towards education reforms, with the teaching license policy set to establish new standards for educational excellence. The minister made this announcement during a press conference in Karachi, highlighting that the policy will require teachers to pass an exam and obtain a licence, thereby benefiting the entire education system.
Approval of the Teaching Licence Policy
The teaching licence policy was approved by the Sindh government on Thursday, following a proposal by the School Education & Literacy Department. Minister Shah explained that the primary purpose of this policy is to bring professional skills to teachers, ensuring a high standard of education delivery.
Merit-Based Hiring of Teachers
Minister Shah highlighted the significant challenge of hiring over 60,000 teachers on merit in Sindh, which was successfully accomplished through the serious efforts of the Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) provincial government. This achievement is commendable and demonstrates the commitment to improving the education system in the province.
Collaborative Efforts for Teacher Education
The Sindh Teachers Education Development Authority (STEDA), in collaboration with Aga Khan and Durbeen, is actively working to further enhance teacher education, training, and licensing. Minister Shah emphasized that Sindh has always played a prominent role in enacting exemplary legislation and is the first province in Pakistan to develop a teaching policy for the betterment of education. He urged other provinces to follow suit and work on implementing similar licensing policies.
Importance of Competent Teachers
Minister Shah emphasized the importance of competent teachers in providing quality education, especially in challenging environments. He noted that the shortage of teachers has been addressed through recruitment, resulting in the reopening of over 5,000 closed schools and the enrollment of over 400,000 new children in government schools. As a result, the number of out-of-school children in Sindh is significantly lower compared to other provinces.
Empowered Sindh Teaching Board
The Sindh Teaching Board, which includes representatives from the government, social organizations, and the private sector, plays a crucial role in enhancing the quality of teachers and maintaining merit. The board is empowered to make independent decisions in pursuit of its objectives.
Applicability in Government and Private Sectors
Minister Shah confirmed that the teaching licence policy will be applicable to both government and private educational institutions. This comprehensive approach ensures that quality standards are maintained across all sectors, providing equal opportunities for students to receive an excellent education.
Support from Shehzad Roy
Shehzad Roy, the head of Zindagi Trust, expressed his support for the teaching licence policy. He emphasized that teaching is a science that requires an understanding of a child’s mind, and implementing teaching education will make it easier to comprehend and cater to their needs. Roy further stated that other provinces should also adopt the teaching licence policy, particularly in areas where government schools are not in proper condition and the public cannot access quality education.
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The teaching license policy in Sindh marks a significant milestone in the pursuit of educational excellence. By introducing professional standards for teachers and implementing a licensing system, the government aims to enhance the overall quality of education. The successful merit-based hiring of teachers, collaborative efforts for teacher education, and the active involvement of the Sindh Teaching Board demonstrate the commitment of the provincial government to transform the education system. It is hoped that other provinces will follow Sindh’s lead and work towards implementing similar policies to improve the educational landscape nationwide.
