Pakistan is facing a critical issue with a high number of out-of-school children, topping the worldwide list in this regard.
To address this pressing challenge, the government must take effective measures to encourage parents to send their children to school and increase overall enrolment rates. Asif Abrar, an education specialist at Unicef, emphasized the importance of convincing parents to enroll their children aged five and above in the nearest schools.
During an awareness session focused on the rules of business of the Sindh Prohibition of Corporal Punishment Act, 2016, held at the Begum Nusrat Bhutto Memorial Library, Abrar highlighted the need for a positive attitude towards children in schools. He acknowledged that last year’s unprecedented rains and floods resulted in widespread migrations and significant damage to school infrastructure, ultimately impacting the education of children in this age group.
As the academic calendar is set to begin in August, Abrar called upon parents, teachers, education department officials, and members of civil society to collectively contribute to efforts aimed at increasing the number of children attending school.
Abdul Aziz Chachar, the director of Secondary and Higher Secondary School Education, pointed out a concerning issue related to recently recruited young teachers with IBA qualifications. He noted that some of these teachers, aged between 28 to 30, displayed impulsive behavior and quick anger towards children.
Chachar stressed the importance of teachers adopting a more compassionate approach towards students, fostering a stress-free and fear-free atmosphere for effective learning.
Gulsher Soomro, the director of Primary School Education, emphasized the crucial role of parents in shaping their children’s behavior through proper training and teaching good behavioral norms at home.
Soomro highlighted the directorate’s efforts to educate and ensure the physical fitness of children. He also underscored the significance of fostering a strong relationship between parents and teachers to enhance the quality of education and character building in children