The Sindh government has stopped the salaries of almost 1,400 absent teachers, and other employees in the education department. Such employees are referred to as ghost employees – a euphemism for the absentees. The issue is chronic in the province’s education department, in particular. According to the District Education Performance Index (DEPIx) Report 2020-23, compiled by the Planning Commission, Sindh ranks third after Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, with the majority of low-performing districts predominantly in Balochistan and Sindh. It is also unfortunate that the reforms attempted in the province to tackle the educational crisis have been unsuccessful. Absenteeism, a significant impediment to academic performance, not only undermines the integrity of the provincial education system but also affects the students who rely on these teachers for their learning and development. The province has a mostly abysmal human development score for most of its districts. Education, viewed as a cornerstone of societal progress, suffers when educators abandon their responsibilities.
The lack of accountability, half-hearted measures and knee-jerk responses all send a negative message to the masses about the importance accorded to education. Ghost teachers and employees also place a burden on the provincial exchequer. While many tall promises have been made, the authorities have been unable to curb the practice. A robust attendance system needs to be introduced to identify more such employees alongside regular audits and performance evaluations to hold educators responsible for their duties. As is the case with any other profession, teachers also need to be incentivised through career development and yearly performance-based bonuses to ensure the quality of education improves. The government can collaborate with international organisations or local NGOs to assist in improving the school system of the province. With millions of children out of school in Sindh, a more proactive approach needs to be taken to ensure students receive the education they deserve to survive in a highly competitive world.
Editorial published in the Express Tribune on 28th October 2024
