KARACHI: Members of Shura Hamdard voiced concerns about rampant corruption in education sector in Shura Hamdard meeting-Respect for Teachers at Hamdard Corporate Head Office. Sadia Rashid President Hamdard Foundation Pakistan also present. Speakers put forth several suggestions and recommendations to improve education sector of country.

General (retd) Moinuddin Haider said that education sector has been marred by corruption, leading to appointment of individuals as teachers who lack both qualifications and competence. Provincial governments extend numerous benefits to teachers including reasonable salaries. Nevertheless, fundamental issue revolves around selection and appointment of teachers.

Dr. Khalida Ghaus emphasized need to depoliticise education department, take action and discourage ghost teacher phenomenon. "To hold ghost teachers accountable, who just draw salaries, it is essential to keep teachers consistently involved in various training programmes."

Professor Ikhlaq Ahmed said that genuine respect for teachers could only be achieved when teachers actively engage in educating and nurturing children. Teaching is not merely means of livelihood but noble mission dedicated to serving society.

Naushaba Khalil Sattar said that commercialisation of education has diminished honour and esteem accorded to educators. Both tuition centres and schools operate on business-oriented framework where students are treated as customers.

Senator Abdul Haseeb Khan said vital role that primary educators assume in shaping character and personality of children. However, there hasn't been any implementation of merit-based system for primary teachers as of yet.

Dr. Rizwana Ansari said instances of sexual harassment, violence and physical punishment have profound and detrimental impact on mental and emotional well-being of young victims.

Zafar Iqbal, Pervez Sadiq, Brig (retd) Riaz-ul-Haq, Dr. Amjad Jafri, Justice (retd) Zia Pervez, Cdre (retd) Sadeed Anwar Malik and Col (retd) Mukhtar Ahmed Butt also spoke.

Published in The Daily National Courier, September, 23 2023

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