Sindh Awards Teaching Licenses to 646 Educators

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Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has emphasized the pivotal role of teachers in shaping the nation’s future, comparing their influence to that of parents in guiding and mentoring children. Speaking at a ceremony held at the Chief Minister’s House in Karachi on Tuesday, Shah called for greater respect for educators, stating that such respect must be earned through competence and dedication to quality teaching.

The event marked the distribution of teaching licenses to 646 successful candidates by the Sindh Education Department. These licenses were granted under the Sindh Teacher Education Development Authority (STEDA), which oversees teacher certification and aims to improve the quality and professionalism of teaching staff in the province. The licensing initiative was originally proposed by Education Minister Syed Sardar Ali Shah three years ago as part of broader reforms to enhance education standards in Sindh.

Officials confirmed that approximately 4,000 candidates appeared for the licensing examination. Out of these, only 646 passed, reflecting a success rate of about 16 percent. While some sources cited a breakdown that includes 297 Junior Elementary School Teacher (JEST) licenses and 195 pre-service licenses, these figures have not yet been officially published by STEDA and should be treated as preliminary.

The ceremony was attended by prominent figures, including Education Minister Syed Sardar Shah, Minister for Livestock Mohammad Ali Malkani, Secretary of School Education Zahid Abbasi, lawmakers, diplomats, educationists, and representatives from civil society organizations such as Zindagi Trust, represented by Shehzad Roy.

During his speech, Chief Minister Shah described the licensing program as a necessary step to instill accountability and improve teaching standards across Sindh’s public schools. He noted that the low pass rate serves as a reminder of the challenges that lie ahead in reforming the education sector. He also underscored the importance of evaluating not only access to education but also the quality of instruction being provided to enrolled students.

The Chief Minister expressed concern about the millions of children in Pakistan who remain out of school. He questioned the country’s ability to prepare students for a competitive global environment amid decades of declining education standards. Shah asserted that the education system has faced deterioration over the past 40 to 50 years and emphasized the government’s resolve to reverse this trend by prioritizing teacher training and performance-based accountability.

The event concluded with renewed commitments from provincial officials to continue strengthening the education system through institutional reforms, professional development, and public engagement.