Karachi: Education is in crisis in Pakistan, according to Altaf Shakoor, Chairman of the Pasban Democratic Party (PDP), who spoke on International Teacher’s Day. Shakoor stated that the government has neglected the education sector, leading to widespread protests by teachers demanding their salaries and pensions.

Schools across Sindh province were recently closed for several days due to strikes against the government’s new salary and pension schemes. Shakoor noted that over a dozen retired teachers from Karachi University have died without receiving their pensions, accusing the university’s management of failing the institution.

He criticized both the public and private education sectors, pointing out corruption in government schools and the rapid commercialization of private education. Shakoor cited examples of amenity plots in private housing societies, such as Adamjee Nagar and Kathiawar Memon Housing Society in Karachi, being converted into expensive private schools, which he deemed unjust.

Shakoor praised the Punjab government’s initiative to consolidate small rural schools into larger ones with better facilities, urging Sindh to adopt a similar policy. He called for an update to the outdated curriculums in schools, colleges, and universities, and emphasized the need for promoting technical and vocational education to combat joblessness.

Furthermore, Shakoor proposed establishing at least one general university, one engineering college, and one teaching hospital in every district of Pakistan. He congratulated teachers on International Teacher’s Day, reaffirming his party’s commitment to advocating for their rights.