Minister for Sindh Education and Literacy Department (SELD) Sardar Ali Shah admitted political interference and meddling in the workings of the provincial education department.

While addressing the question hour in the Provincial Assembly of Sindh, Shah said provincial lawmakers and other influential people meddle in the affairs of the education department, such as in matters related to transfers and appointments of teachers.

“Politicians often say that he is my voter so transfer him into my constituency,” Shah revealed.

The inter-district transfer of Grade-14 teachers was restricted in Sindh, the minister stated, adding that teachers were in surplus of thousands, with none agreeing to work in rural areas or villages. Shah said teachers transferred themselves from rural to urban schools and the shortage of teachers in rural schools forced students to leave them.

“We have decided to give postings based on domiciles of teachers,” said the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) minister, responding to a question about the college education department.

While access to education remains a burning issue in Sindh’s education landscape, due attention is also being raised towards the quality of education being delivered in public sector schools of the province. In response to another query during the question-and-answer session, the education minister termed the Single National Curriculum pushed by the federal government equivalent to a ‘curriculum martial law’.