Sindh to introduce fine arts lecturers, music instructors in colleges

Sindh Minister for Education and Mineral Development Syed Sardar Ali Shah has emphasized the need to modernize college education in Sindh to meet contemporary demands.

He has stressed that colleges must introduce skill-based education, information technology, fine arts lecturers, and other new subjects to enable students to make informed career choices with confidence.

He made these remarks while presiding over a meeting regarding the Department of College Education in Karachi on Tuesday. The meeting was attended by Secretary of Colleges Asif Ikram, Director General Colleges Navaid Rab Siddiqui, Chief Engineer Colleges Asim Hussain, Director of Development Ali Abbas Tipu, and other officials.

The meeting discussed admissions in Sindh’s colleges and the developmental projects of the Department of College Education. It was reported that there are 372 colleges in Sindh, comprising 131 for boys, 152 for girls, and 89 co-educational institutions.

The Sindh Electronic Centralized College Admission Program (SECCAP) is fully operational for online applications, with the deadline extended to August 31, 2024. Out of 355,577 available seats, 203,852 applications have been received, with 111,043 male and 92,809 female applicants approved.

Admissions have been granted in disciplines such as Pre-Medical, Pre-Engineering, Computer Science, Commerce, Humanities, and Home Economics. In Karachi, applications for 113,378 students have been approved out of 164,260 available seats.

Minister Syed Sardar Ali Shah stated that complaints have been received regarding online college admissions and he has directed that objections be resolved promptly. He was informed that system issues have been resolved, and student objections can be addressed even after the admission deadline.

The minister emphasized the need to counsel students on selecting computer and IT subjects, given current demands. He stressed the need to increase computer teacher positions in colleges and directed the creation of positions for fine arts lecturers and music instructors.

He urged that subject allocations in colleges be made according to necessity and that teachers for all subjects be present in all colleges. He instructed that developmental schemes for colleges be completed promptly, with 50% of the work on new schemes to be completed by December.

The minister was informed that work is ongoing on 119 schemes in Sindh, including 40 new colleges. He stated that a baseline survey should be conducted before establishing new colleges. Instead of constructing colleges in areas with higher secondary schools, new urban centers should be selected.

He mentioned that Qasimabad Tehsil’s population in Hyderabad is expanding, and proposals should be sought for establishing a new college. Recommendations should also be presented for selecting a location to establish a boys’ college in Karachi’s Gulistan-e-Johar area.