Sindh Education Minister Syed Sardar Ali Shah has firmly refuted claims regarding “ghost” teachers and schools within the province, emphasizing that all such allegations are now baseless.
In a recent statement, Minister Shah outlined significant progress in Sindh’s educational sector, highlighting the successful reopening of over 2,800 schools through targeted recruitment initiatives. He made this announcement directly responding to Mustafa Kamal’s comments regarding the alleged prevalence of ghost schools in the region.
Minister Shah declared that all educational institutions in Sindh are fully operational and staffed with competent teachers, signalling an end to the times when such issues served as fodder for political manipulation. He criticized Kamal’s reliance on “outdated tactics” and urged him to focus on more pressing community issues.
Addressing the historical context, Shah criticized the past MQM-led coalition government under Musharraf for its approach to education, particularly for establishing numerous non-viable one-room schools across Sindh. He noted that in 2022, the government took decisive action to shut down these non-essential institutions. During Musharraf’s tenure, it was common to find clusters of four one-room schools within a mere one-kilometre radius, a practice the current administration has corrected by maintaining only those schools that are functional and necessary.
Minister Shah also touched upon the ongoing legal battles concerning the closure of 170 schools in underprivileged areas, clarifying that these would resume operations pending court decisions. He highlighted the unsuccessful completion of teacher appointments in these schools due to existing stay orders. However, he reassured that the province does not currently face any school closures due to teacher shortages, thanks to the government’s efforts in recruiting 60,000 teachers based on merit.
Concluding his remarks, Shah encouraged Mustafa Kamal to concentrate on substantive issues rather than perpetuating political rhetoric, underscoring his commitment to advancing education in Sindh and setting a standard for other provinces to follow.
