Non-performing schools to face the music

In accordance with the statements made by the education minister, firm actions are on the cards against non-performing schools in this year’s SSC exams. In early May, the minister expressed disappointment at the total failure rate in 109 schools, saying that such shocking academic results would be dealt with robustly. Now an education ministry official has said that either the monthly payment order or the teaching permission of these institutions would be revoked.

This is indeed a praiseworthy move by the ministry and, it deserves kudos for acting swiftly instead of allowing the decision to be firm to wade into Byzantine layers. The 109 schools in question, of which 96 are reportedly madrasas, have opened up a grave aberration that had been concealed for too long. It’s believed that teachers outnumber students in these schools that got the permission to operate due to political influence.

Once more, the manipulation of political links to sustain an unethical system is evident. Safe to say that, these schools were run simply to ensure regular payment for the so-called teachers with local political ties. Education is definitely not the focus here; several reports on these institutions post SSC results showed some buildings remain almost deserted through the week. The stringent actions to cut MPOs should be the beginning though there has to be an investigation to detect the masterminds who concocted this disgraceful plan. Unless the main patrons of this devious project are caught, it may spring up elsewhere in a new format.

Also, the fact that 96 are madrasas raise questions about what these institutions are actually up to because this country is living in a time when radicalisation of young minds is a pervasive threat. The ministry of education needs to issue orders based on its decisions before Eid so that these schools stop getting the facilities immediately. Also a further investigation is essential to find what exactly was going on in the madrasas. With extremism proliferating from apparently innocuous sources, nothing can be taken for granted.

 

Non-performing schools to face the music

In accordance with the statements made by the education minister, firm actions are on the cards against non-performing schools in this years SSC exams. In early May, the minister expressed disappointment at the total failure rate in 109 schools, saying that such shocking academic results would be dealt with robustly. Now an education ministry official has said that either the monthly payment order or the teaching permission of these institutions would be revoked. This is indeed a praiseworthy move by the ministry and, it deserves kudos for acting swiftly instead of allowing the decision to be firm to wade into Byzantine layers. The 109 schools in question, of which 96 are reportedly madrasas, have opened up a grave aberration that had been concealed for too long. Its believed that teachers outnumber students in these schools that got the permission to operate due to political influence. Once more, the manipulation of political links to sustain an unethical system is evident. Safe to say that, these schools were run simply to ensure regular payment for the so-called teachers with local political ties. Education is definitely not the focus here; several reports on these institutions post SSC results showed some buildings remain almost deserted through the week. The stringent actions to cut MPOs should be the beginning though there has to be an investigation to detect the masterminds who concocted this disgraceful plan. Unless the main patrons of this devious project are caught, it may spring up elsewhere in a new format. Also, the fact that 96 are madrasas raise questions about what these institutions are actually up to because this country is living in a time when radicalisation of young minds is a pervasive threat. The ministry of education needs to issue orders based on its decisions before Eid so that these schools stop getting the facilities immediately. Also a further investigation is essential to find what exactly was going on in the madrasas. With extremism proliferating from apparently innocuous sources, nothing can be taken for granted.