KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister (CM) Syed Murad Ali Shah has announced a major initiative to digitize all educational institutions, including schools, under the provincial Education Department, ARY News reported. This step aims to modernize the education system and improve governance through advanced technology.
CM Murad Ali Shah chaired a high-level meeting focused on school education, where key decisions were made to enhance efficiency and transparency. One of the major changes includes implementing a digital attendance system for teachers and students using facial recognition technology. This initiative aims to curb absenteeism and ensure accountability within the education sector.
Sindh Education Minister Syed Sardar Shah highlighted that the school administration would be granted greater autonomy, with headmasters receiving direct funding from the government. This financial independence will allow schools to address their unique needs, improve infrastructure, and enhance the quality of education without delays caused by bureaucratic hurdles.
Furthermore, the Sindh government has decided to grant full financial autonomy to schools, enabling them to manage their expenses independently. Each institution will be allocated a dedicated budget, empowering school administrations to make financial decisions tailored to their specific requirements. This initiative is expected to lead to better resource allocation and improved facilities for students.
Sindh Education Minister Syed Sardar Shah also provided key statistics on the state of education in the province. He revealed that Sindh currently has 36,300 primary schools and 2,600 elementary schools. The government aims to bridge the gap between primary and elementary education, ensuring a smoother transition for students and addressing disparities in access to education across different regions.
Education Crisis in Pakistan: Over 26 Million Children Out of School
The issue of out-of-school children remains a significant challenge in Pakistan. In September 2024, the Ministry of Education presented a report to the National Assembly, revealing alarming statistics. According to the Education Department’s findings, a staggering 26.2 million children in Pakistan are currently out of school.
Breaking down these figures, the report stated that more than 17 million children aged 5 to 9 years are not enrolled in school, highlighting a critical gap at the foundational level of education. Additionally, 4.9 million children aged 10 to 12 years are deprived of middle school education, while 4.5 million children have no access to high school education.
The disparity is particularly noticeable in gender-based statistics. The report disclosed that 2.1 million boys and 2.8 million girls are unable to pursue middle school education due to various socio-economic and infrastructural challenges. Meanwhile, a shocking 5.9 million students are deprived of higher secondary education, further exacerbating the country’s literacy crisis.
With 26,260,520 children missing out on education nationwide, the report underscores the urgent need for reforms and strategic interventions to tackle the crisis. The Sindh government’s initiative to digitize schools and provide financial autonomy to institutions is seen as a crucial step toward improving accessibility, transparency, and the overall quality of education in the province. However, nationwide efforts are still required to address the deep-rooted challenges in Pakistan’s education sector.
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