IT to be made compulsory subject at college level: Hameeda
KARACHI: Sindh Minister for Education and Literacy, Dr Hameeda Khuhro, on Tuesday hinted at making Information Technology (IT) once again ‘compulsory subject’ at college-level, saying IT instructors would be hired along with teachers to overcome shortage of computer experts. Addressing an Iftar-dinner hosted in the honour of Centralized Admission Policy (CAP) committee members and staff at the Govt DJ Science College, she praised CAP committee members for completing the admission process for Karachi colleges within a record time, saving previous studying hours for students.
Provincial Education Manager (PEM) Sindh Dr Muhammad Ali Shaikh, Sindh Secretary Education Subhagu Khan Jatoi, CAP Committee members, principals and senior education department officials were also present. Dr Hameeda said although process of admissions at city colleges had been completed without any hurdle in a shortest possible time, but now efforts should be made to provide quality educational facilities, including required teachers, furniture, scientific equipment at labs and all other necessary facilities.
According to her, the most important issue facing by colleges these days was attendance of students, as majority of them do not attend classes despite making efforts for admissions to best colleges. “The issue is not of Karachi alone but of entire Sindh. Students even don’t attend classes at Adamjee and DJ colleges, and one can imagine what would be the condition of other colleges,” she said, adding that it was an ‘unhealthy practice’ and it must be looked into. She deplored that as most of the students don’t attend classes, they ultimately take part in politics and other unhealthy activities, including misbehaving with teachers and non-teaching staff. She asked the PEM Sindh to take steps for enhancing students’ attendance at colleges.
The education minister said that teachers would soon be recruited to overcome shortage of teaching staff at colleges and made it clear that recruitment would be held purely on merit. Later, talking to newsmen she said complaints were received from some candidates, who passed the written test for recruitment of teachers, which resulted in scrutiny of applications and ultimately delay in hiring but hoped the process would soon be completed. She told that the World Bank had provided over Rs100 million for provision of missing facilities at schools and colleges. To a question, teachers would be hired on contractual basis for colleges and their recruitment would be purely transparent.
Earlier, PEM Sindh Dr Muhammad Ali Shaikh identified some lacunas in CAP process, saying admissions at colleges away from residences, especially for women was a big concern of parents and next time efforts would be made to overcome this shortcoming. He urged the media to create awareness among parents and students regarding admissions under CAP at city colleges, saying this would help them in finding suitable colleges and save them from unnecessary hardships.
Source: the News
Date:10/18/2006
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