Favouritism in Sindh Education department

Favouritism continues to make presence felt
Karachi, Sep 01: Despite tall claims made by the Sindh government and authorities at the Education department, practices of out-of-turn postings, detailments and hiring of non-technical staff at administrative post are still being carried out, it has been learnt.

Earlier this week, Education Executive District Officer (EDO) Muhammad Ibrahim Kumbhar issued a office order, number EDOE/Esst./CDGK/ (16994-98)/2009, according to which, Mazhar Jawaid, PET, BS-17, was allowed to work in the office of the Assistant District Officer, Education, Elementary (Male), Gulberg Town, till further orders.

Ironically, Jawaid, who is a physical trainer (PET), is posted at the office rather than a school, where his services would be put to better use.

The notification further said that Mazhar Jawaid, PET, BS-17, working in GBLSS Kamyab, Block 16, F. B. Area, against the post of Higher School Teacher is transferred and posted in GBSS, Allama Iqbal, Block 6, F. B. Area, Gulberg Town against Muhammad Saddiq, PET, BS-17. Furthermore, Saddiq was transferred and posted in GBSS, F. C. Area, Liaquatabad Town on administrative grounds till further orders.

In another case, Asadullah Bhutto, a Subject Specialist Cadre (BS-17), Government NJV Girls Higher Secondary School, Karachi was transferred and posted as Assistant District Officer (ADO), Education, (Male) Gulberg Town, Karachi and notification number NoSO(S-1)9-1/T&P/09 was issued to this effect. Despite the fact that the order was cancelled by the authorities, Bhutto somehow managed to get himself restored and became ADO Lyari.

Other subject specialist cadre (BS-17) working as ADOs at different towns include Amer Ali (New Karachi), Zahid Abbas (Gulshan), Bashir Ahmed Abbasi (Keamari), Muzaffar Ali Chana (Korangi), Chaman Lal (Landhi), Azizullah Odho (Baldia), Sadaruddin Ujjan (Orangi), Ali Nawaz Baloch (Bin Qasim), Imtiaz Bhugio (Sadder) and Ahmed Bux Bhutto. Many of these individuals did not qualify for this post, as only a person of administrative cadre can be posted as ADO.

On the other hand, Najma Mukaddem (Shah Faisal), Ali Jan (Bin Qasim), Shahida Hussain (Baldia), Naheed Kausar (New Karachi), are deployed as ADO (Female) by the Elementary Education District Officer (Female) Farnaz Riaz. Riaz herself is a Subject Specialist, but interestingly enough, she does not have the authority to assign anybody to look after the post of ADO. However, the afore-mentioned female ADOs are working without any difficulties, and no departmental action has been taken against them.

Similarly, Zahida Bhugio (Gulshan), Humaria Noorlain (Korangi) and Mussarat Jabeen (Liaquatabad) are Subject Specialists but working as ADOs. Sonaber Gul Unarr (Lyari) and Shaista Shaikh (Jamshed Town) also belong to College Cadre, while Razia Sultana works as ADO Orangi, but is reportedly a close friend of Farnaz Riaz.

Several colleges and comprehensive schools failed to provide good results in the recent intermediate examinations, with one plausible explanation being the posting of subject specialists and college cadres at administrative posts. As a result, seats of specific courses continue to be vacant at these educational institutes.

When contacted Senior Education Minister Pir Mazhar-ul-Haq regarding the issue, he said that this has happened, as there was no policy or system to check it. "For the past decade, there was no policy and no promotions were made to fill the gap. As a result, favourites were placed on seats regardless of their ability for that post," he said.

As many as 3,000 educators, from primary school teachers to associate professors at colleges, have been promoted to fill the gap in the education system, he said, adding that now the education department has come up with an idea, which has the approval of the Sindh Chief Minister, and the department would soon advertise it.

Haq also said that management order is in process, and it would be implemented in the education system soon. "Different cadres would be introduced under this system, and teachers cannot transfer or switch to another one," he said. The management cadre will be uniform and teachers would select a cadre of their own choice, adding that once the policy is introduced in the education system, then this problem will cease to exist.