Sindh education department needs 25,000 more teachers

YASIR BABBAR KARACHI: In a move to fulfil the requirements of state-run schools, Sindh's Education and Literacy department has the need of 25,000 more teachers (PSTs, JSTs, HSTs) excluding the recently advertised 19,000 vacancies, Business Recorder learnt on Saturday. The Education and Literacy department is working to recruit teachers since the last many years under the Sindh Reform Program (SRP) supported by the World Bank and the European Union (EU). Under the SRP program, sources said that the education and literacy department advertised vacancies of PSTs, JSTs and HSTs in 2009. And, 5500 candidates were selected following the tests and interviews. Only, eligible candidates, about 2000, were regularised. Later, in round two of this program, the department advertised vacancies of PSTs, JSTs and HSTs in 2010. Around 8,000, candidates were selected but about 4000, were regularised on their performance basis. Sources added that the education and literacy department moved a bill in the Sindh Assembly for the regularisation of the said teachers and the bill was passed unanimously. Currently, the education and literacy department advertised 19,000, vacancies of PSTs, JSTs and HSTs in April 2012, the last date of application submission was June 20, 2012. Sources said that the Reform Support Unit (RSU) of the department is looking after this vacancy issue. The staff of this unit is compiling the data of applications submitted in this regard. More than 0.5 million applications were submitted at the concerned offices in all districts, which were forwarded to the RSU for making all records computerised, they added. In this connection, one of the officers of the RSU told Business Recorder that the data of applications has been completed almost and they would submit the report to the Senior Minister for education and literacy very soon in this regard. "After the final approval by the minister, advertisements would be issued to newspapers for the tests of candidates. It is most likely that tests would be held under the supervision of the IBA Sukkur", he added. He said that PSTs would be hired on a general basis while, JSTs and HSTs would be recruited on Science and General basis. However, adding this, Additional Secretary education and literacy department told Business Recorder that with a recruitment of 19,000 teachers, the department needs 25,000 more teachers for schools all over the province. He said that if the World Bank and the European Union continue their program, the department would announce vacancies soon after the recruitment of 19,000 teachers, if not, it would take more time, he added. September 23, 2012 (Daily Business Recorder)