Said to be in line with the orders issued by the Sindh Secretary of College Education, Asif Akram, directing all government college teachers — including the principals — to avoid giving tuition during working hours, the government teachers are not allowed to tutor at, and teach in coaching centers. The academic environment at government colleges has also been affected by a common practice of teachers skipping participatory activities like half-day workshops and translational education programs that had earlier gained popularity in government colleges.
The measure motivating all the colleges’ principals of the government across the province to become rid of this immoral practice, as some teachers of the private tuition paying higher amounts than that of a teacher of the government. This results in low attendance for students, as well as these educational institutions failing thoroughly.
Personal use of government working time to advance personal interests was described in the directive as unprofessional and unethical. It emphasized that educators are essential players in determining their students’ destinies and must dedicate themselves to their official responsibilities during working hours.
Principals have been ordered to track teacher absences closely and have each class stick to the schedule. In case, if this order is violated the said teachers would be proceeded against under the Sindh Civil Servants (Efficiency and Discipline) Rules, 1973, for tutoring during the official hours, it further added.
Also, the principals will be responsible for not implementing these measures. Thus, the department sends a message of professionalism and academic integrity.
The decision shall be a milestone towards the Sindh government initiative for reform towards betterment in the education sector and to ensure prudent spending of taxpayers’ money on the said sector. Teachers aren’t supposed to act rude, and there shouldn’t be a reason for them to. — Yani Yang
