‘Teachers are backbone of nation, architects of social change’

The Government Elementary College of Education (GECE), Hussainabad, for whose transformation the non-profit Durbeen partnered with the Sindh government, held their convocation on Saturday to celebrate the remarkable achievements of the Class of 2024.

The event honoured the dedication and perseverance of the graduating educators who are poised to make a significant impact in Pakistan’s classrooms. This is the second batch of the GECE’s Bachelor of Education (Elementary) programme.

Degrees were awarded to students who completed the four-year programme. Durbeen CEO Salma Alam, Sindh Education Minister Syed Sardar Ali Shah and University of Karachi Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Khalid Mahmood Iraqi distributed degrees and excellence awards among the graduates.

Shah commended Zindagi Trust Founder & President Shehzad Roy and Salma for their outstanding work in education. He emphasised the importance of bringing qualified teachers into the education system to enhance the quality of education.

Salma emphasised the transformative role of educators in nation-building. “Teachers are the backbone of any nation, and all of you and us are not just educators; we are the architects of social change in Pakistan,” she pointed out.

“As we walk this path, we must remember that our journey is not just about personal success but about paving the way for others and committing to something larger than oneself. This is the collective force that will set Pakistan on the path to prosperity.”

Iraqi and guest of honour Shah delivered keynote speeches celebrating the resilience and innovation of educators. The minister acknowledged the collaboration between the GECE Hussainabad and Durbeen as a model of excellence, united by the mission of producing outstanding educators.

“Our collective goal is to provide society with teachers who can shape a brighter tomorrow,” he said, announcing the government’s launch of its first-ever Teacher Licensing Policy and several innovative teacher training programmes.

He also called for public universities in the province to reevaluate their education programmes, underscoring the need to deliver graduates equipped to meet modern educational demands.

He said success achieved through social collaboration is the true form of success. “It is our responsibility to create opportunities to resolve issues in partnership with society. Our ultimate goal is to produce excellent teachers.”

He urged public universities to focus more on their education faculties. “Unfortunately, the education faculties in public sector universities are not producing quality graduates,” he lamented, stressing on the critical role of educators. “A good teacher is the key to a bright future.”

Other prominent guests included Nazim Haji and Muhammad Ali Tabba among others. Graduates were awarded degrees and notable distinctions, including recognition for Best Practicum Performance, Best Action Research and the gold medal for the highest CGPA.

Faculty excellence was also honoured with the Faculty of the Year award. In her valedictory address, Sahra Iqbal inspired her fellow graduates to lead with purpose and passion in their teaching careers.

This year’s convocation marked a special milestone for the GECE, as the first batch of graduates are now officially licensed teachers, having successfully obtained their teaching licences.

The Class of 2024 and the Class of 2023 are already making a difference in the education sector as they teach at Zindagi Trust schools. These graduates have secured guaranteed jobs, ensuring a bright future for both them and their students.

This is the second batch of GECE-trained teachers to be placed in schools through this innovative programme, reinforcing the institution’s commitment to providing quality education and building a strong foundation for Pakistan’s future educators.

The GECE also reaffirmed its vision for the future. The institution is set to launch Pakistan’s first master’s programme for teacher education in collaboration with the University of Oxford. This groundbreaking programme will provide advanced training for educators, further strengthening the foundation of teaching excellence in the country.

The ceremony concluded with a teacher’s oath, led by Mirbaz Ali Khan, which affirmed the graduates’ commitment to fostering quality education. The convocation was a celebration of achievement, a reflection of the GECE’s mission to elevate public education and a promise to continue empowering educators to drive meaningful change in Pakistan.

Need for skilled teachers

Speaking at ceremony, Sindh Education Minister Syed Sardar Ali Shah highlighted the critical role of universities in producing high-quality educators, stressing that public sector institutions must prioritise their education faculties to address the country’s need for skilled teachers, adds Salis bin Perwaiz.

He acknowledged the collaboration between the GECE Hussainabad and Durbeen as a model of excellence, united by the mission of producing outstanding educators. “Our collective goal is to provide society with teachers who can shape a brighter tomorrow,” he said as he announced the Sindh government’s launch of its first-ever Teacher Licensing Policy and several innovative teacher training programmes.

He also called for public universities to reevaluate their education programs, underscoring the need to deliver graduates equipped to meet modern educational demands.