The Punjab government has approached the Sindh government to initiate a teaching licence system in the province, similar to Sindh’s.
A delegation from the Punjab Education Department met Sindh Education Minister Syed Sardar Ali Shah to consult on policies and experiences regarding the process of issuing teaching licences.
The meeting in Karachi was attended by Focal Person for the Chief Minister Punjab’s Advisory on Education Shakeel Ahmed Bhatti, Punjab Education Secretary Khalid Nazir Wattoo, Director of School Staffing Dr Saima Naz and other officials. From Sindh’s side, School Secretary Zahid Ali Abbasi, STEDA Executive Director Rasool Bux Shah, and other officers were present.
Sindh Minister Syed Sardar Ali Shah welcomed the Punjab delegation and termed the meeting a positive tradition. Punjab CM’s Advisor on Education Shakil Ahmed conveyed good wishes from Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat and said that he regards Sindh’s education minister as an elder brother, maintaining regular contact for positive educational initiatives and consultations.
During the discussion, both sides exchanged views on educational measures, challenges faced, and future strategies. Shah emphasized that education is now a provincial responsibility and that strengthening coordination between provinces would yield national-level benefits. He said: “The challenges of education across the country are similar, but unfortunately, we are trying to solve them in isolation. We must work together and learn from each other’s experiences. Sindh has launched Pakistan’s first teaching licence, and we are ready to provide every possible assistance to other provinces in this regard.”
Shakil Ahmed welcomed the suggestions, stating that provincial-level coordination must be established, as mutual learning will help everyone. He added that Sindh’s educational initiatives are distinct and provide many learning opportunities. As a researcher, he said he has studied Sindh’s curriculum and found no hateful content in it, calling it “inclusive and different from other provinces.” He mentioned that Punjab is also working on revising its curriculum.
Responding, Syed Sardar Shah said: “The most important purpose of curriculum should be respect for humanity. Textbooks can preserve the true identity of Pakistan’s cultures, and through curriculum, we can build successful future generations.”
Shakil Ahmed praised Sindh’s initiatives, especially teaching licensing, and said Punjab not only supports Sindh’s educational policies but also backs the idea of giving teachers a dignified identity. “With such initiatives, teachers can play their role in education with recognition and responsibility. We want to develop a policy under which teachers with licences can serve across the country with ease and accountability.” He concluded by saying: “We have learned from Sindh, we are learning, and we will continue to learn.”
Sardar Shah suggested creating a working relations mechanism to strengthen coordination further. He said that the biggest challenge both provinces face is out-of-school children, and a joint strategy can be developed to address it. Referring to Sindh’s efforts, he mentioned that the Sindh government has launched a non-formal education programme under public-private partnership. Through this programme, 3,000 centres have been established to help 800,000 to 1 million children complete primary education within 30 months.
He stressed: “Until we acknowledge our shortcomings, we cannot move forward.” Both sides agreed to establish a coordination group to strengthen future working relations and to hold consultations on children’s education on a regular basis. At the end of the meeting, Sardar Ali Shah presented cultural gifts to the visiting delegation members.
Published in The News on August 21, 2025.
