Access to basic education is a fundamental right of all children but unfortunately millions of children in my country, especially in my home district Larkano in Sindh, do not attend school. Children enrolled in school do not always gain an adequate education.
As many schools are often under-resourced with too few or poorly trained teachers, children do not always attain the minimum standards of education despite attending school and college. The lack of capacity for new students in schools and colleges may cause the positive effect of increased enrolment to be offset by poor retention and completion rates.
Abject poverty, non-availability of school infrastructure and that of teachers, tribal clashes, natural calamities, and food shortages are also contributing factors in the low primary school enrolment of children. Unfortunately, an historic university of the province, University of Sindh, Jamshoro, has become a victim of neglect. It has been more than a month that this leading university has remained shut. Educational activities are suspended on campus and teachers are pushed to the walls to protest.
In this matter, it is proposed that democratic ways and means, instead of dictatorial ploys, must be put into practice to pacify the situation. The teachers, which have always been in the vanguard for the restoration of democracy, rule of law and quality education in the province, how are they supposed to give their best efforts while their lawful demands are not met?
Sanity must prevail and our rulers must realise that in this sordid state of affairs, it is nobody else but the children of poor parents who bear the brunt and they must not be denied their right to education.
HASHIM ABRO
Islamabad
