Mumtaz Ali & Others (Petitioner) VS Province of Sindh & Others (Respondent)

ORDER SHEET

THE HIGH COURT OF SINDH, CIRCUIT COURT,

HYDERABAD.

C.P. No.D-1242 of 2023 C.P. No.D-1385 of 2023

DATE ORDER WITH SIGNATURE OF JUDGE(s)

Mr. Altaf Sachal Awan Advocate for Petitioner in C.P. No.D-1242 of Mr. Abdul Shakoor Keerio Advocate for Petitioners in C.P. No.D- 1385 of 2023.

Mr. Allah Bachayo Soomro, Additional Advocate General Sindh. Mr. Muhammad Ismail Bhutto, Additional Advocate General. Mr. Rafiq Ahmed Dahri, Assistant Advocate General. Ms. Shereen Mustafa, Secretary School Education & Literacy Department/ alleged contemnor No.1.

Abdul Latif Mughal, Director Education Hyderabad. Aziz Rehman Dahot, DEO Hyderabad/ alleged Contemnor No.2. Shakeel Qureshi, Litigation Officer Education Department Hyderabad.

Naveed Rana, Focal Person DEO Hyderabad.

Iqbal Hussain Memon, DEO (Primary) Matiari.

Niaz Ali Naich, DEO (P) Sanghar.

Syed Mehmood Ali Shah, AEN Education Works Sanghar.

Since the matter pertains to the education system of this Province, therefore, with Constitution Petition No.D-1645 of 2022, the two connected Petitions being C.P. No.D-1242 of 2023 and C.P. No.D-1385 of 2023,are also taken up, inter alia, concerning the acute shortage of teaching staff and dilapidated condition of School buildings. The Secretary present today in C.P. No.D-1645 of 2022, has stated that all such issues will be addressed before the next date of hearing.

In both the Petitions Statement is filed by DEO (Primary) Matiari. It is stated that two more teachers will be appointed in the subject Schools and tenders are floated for doing necessary repair and maintenance work.

Learned AAG will also place on record the Policy for establishment of Government Schools in a particular area/ village. Respondent No.3 should also apprise the Court about the condition of nearest High Schools from the subject Villages and whether those have adequate facilities or not.

Government should realize that in this era of technological development, we are still dealing with the above situation of shortage of teaching staff and other related issues, which is grossly jeopardising the overall education system of this Province. Main reasons for this predicament are rampant corruption and complete absence of any sincerity towards the official duties.

It is a dire necessity that a comprehensive and result oriented Education Policy should be prepared and strictly implemented, without being influenced by any other factor, in particular, political considerations, which has ruined the overall education system.

Sindh Government should also undertake a comparative study of the education system in other Countries, INCLUDING support for students’ academic development.

Students of government schools should also be given access to similar opportunities and facilities, like those who are studying in private schools, so that they can also compete nationally and internationally.

Human capital development is the need of the hour, so that in due course, the Country is able to increase the export of expertise services. Due to consistency in the policies, other developing Countries of Asia have achieved remarkable results in the Information Technolgy and technolgy related businesses, commonly known as ‘tech businesses.’

What is alarming is that instead of moving forward, we are in a continuous state of regression. It is not out of place to mention that there was a time when Outer Space Program of Pakistan was ahead of many other Countries globally, but at present, in Outer Space field, we do not figure anywhere. Only through a strong and pragmatic education system this Nation can progress.

To be listed along with C.P. No.D-1645 of 2022.

A copy of this Order be provided to learned AAG for compliance.

JUDGE

JUDGE

Irfan Ali