KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Tuesday expressed deep respect for teachers, describing them as pillars of society who deserve the same honor as parents. Speaking at a ceremony at the CM House, organized by the Sindh Education Department to award teaching licenses, he stressed that this respect must be earned by delivering quality education.
During the event, the chief minister distributed licenses to 646 successful candidates out of more than 4,000 applicants, highlighting that only 16 percent managed to pass the stringent examination. The new license holders included 297 Junior Elementary School Teachers (JEST) and 195 pre service teachers.
Murad Ali Shah recalled that the initiative of teacher licensing, proposed three years ago by Education Minister Syed Sardar Shah, was aimed at ensuring competency and accountability within the teaching profession. He acknowledged the decline in educational standards over the past four to five decades, stressing the urgent need to raise the quality of teaching.
“There was a time when primary schools provided excellent education, but over the years, merit-based appointments have weakened,” he noted.
The chief minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving standards through the Sindh Teacher Education Development Authority (STEDA). He also voiced concern about the large number of out of school children, emphasizing the dual challenge of improving enrollment and ensuring quality instruction for those already in classrooms.
Education Minister Syed Sardar Shah, addressing the ceremony, called the licensing system a milestone achievement, explaining that it took three years to put in place.
“Teaching should be seen as more than just a job it is a service and a responsibility,” he said.
He clarified misconceptions about teaching licenses, noting that some had wrongly compared them to weapon permits. Initially, he explained, teachers were appointed without licenses to fill urgent vacancies, but from now on, all new teachers will receive training before being granted licenses, and only licensed educators will be eligible for appointments.
The event was attended by Education Minister Syed Sardar Shah, Livestock Minister Mohammad Ali Malkan, School Education Secretary Zahid Abbasi, diplomats, lawmakers, educationists, Shahzad Roy of Zindagi Trust, and civil society members. Other speakers included Dr. Sajid Ali of Aga Khan University and STEDA Executive Director Rasool Bux Shah.
