833 college lecturers get offer letters after clearing SPSC exam

The College Education Department of Sindh organised a ceremony to distribute offer letters among lecturers who passed the Sindh Public Service Commission (SPSC) examination.

The event, held at Scouts Hall in Karachi, was attended by Minister for Education and Mines and Minerals Development Syed Sardar Ali Shah as the chief guest. During the ceremony, 833 new lecturers were handed their offer letters by the provincial education minister.

Speaking at the event, he emphasized the significance of college education in students’ lives, announcing the commencement of A-Level classes in certain public colleges. He stated that this initiative would enable public college students to excel further and showcase their abilities in competitive fields.

The event was also attended by Secretary College Education Asif Ikram, Director General of Colleges Dr Naved Rab Siddiqui and other officials. Addressing the newly inducted lecturers, the minister welcomed them to the department, expressing his hope that they would serve this honourable profession with dedication. He remarked, “Being a teacher is a great responsibility, as teachers are the architects of our future.”

The minister further stated that all 374 colleges in Sindh are crucial and that ensuring active academic activities in every college is imperative. He emphasized the importance of providing education to students from underprivileged areas with the same dedication as one’s own children. “We cannot station all teachers in urban centers; teaching should be seen as a responsibility rather than just a job,” he added.

Shah urged the new teachers to draw lessons from their past lives and adopt a mindset that treats all students equally, regardless of background. He highlighted that the role of college teachers is critical in preparing students for universities and fostering a mindset geared towards constructive thinking and questioning.

He reiterated the plan to introduce A-Level classes in public colleges, stating that this step would increase opportunities for underprivileged students to progress. On this occasion, Secretary College Education Asif Ikram disclosed that 1,659 vacant positions had been sent to the SPSC, which recommended 1,357 eligible candidates. Among them, 833 candidates, after completing verification processes, were issued offer letters.

He mentioned that under the guidance of the education minister, the number of lecturers in Mirpurkhas Region and for Computer Science was increased. Offer letters were distributed for seven subjects, including 282 for Computer Science, 219 for Sindhi, 119 for Botany, 106 for Mathematics, 80 for Statistics, 14 for Chemistry, and 13 for Psychology.

Speaking to the media, the education minister highlighted the ongoing need for reforms in the education sector, particularly in schools and colleges. He stated, “Wherever improvements are possible, we must continue our journey in that direction.” He said the recruitment of competent teachers has already started yielding positive results.

He also shared that 2024 is being celebrated as “Science in Sindh,” emphasizing the importance of promoting science education to encourage critical thinking and reasoning. The curriculum is also being updated, as a revision every five years is essential.

In response to a question, the minister revealed plans to reorganize the education department’s administrative structure by eliminating redundant positions. He also highlighted efforts to assist out-of-school children through accelerated and non-formal education programs and reduce dropout rates via school upgrades.

Regarding flood-damaged schools, the minister stated that 20,000 schools had been affected, and reconstruction through the provincial budget remains challenging. Despite limited support from the federal government under the PSDP, the process has been delayed due to court-issued stay orders. He called for courts to consider the department’s stance before issuing such orders. The minister also mentioned plans to introduce preparatory sessions for students before board exams.