ISLAMABAD, April 25, 2007: ActionAid Pakistan and Adult Basic Education Society organized a National Convention of Teachers as part of The Global Campaign for Education (GCE)'s commemoration of the Week of Action on Education from 23rd to 29th April.
Ms.Anisa Zeb Tahirkheli chaired the convention along with Aqsa Khan, Manger Social and Women's Rights ActionAid, and Mr. Edwin Samson, Chief Coordinator A.B.E.S and Mr.Hammad Ahmad from ActionAid. Teachers from all over the country and from various teachers' coalitions such as Mutahida Mahaz-e-Asatiza, Punjab Teachers Association ,Primary and Elementary Education and Mehran Teachers Association participated and presented their recommendations to Federal Minister and gave their input to make a plan of action for future to provide quality education in the country. Various issues and problems of teachers and children were highlighted and discussed by the participants.
While speaking on the occasion Hammad Ahmad said that we have planned this event to serve the vision and mission of ActionAids education portfolio that is Right to Education and Rights in Education. Education is one of the core themes of ActionAid Pakistans work, while we continue to advocate for securing access to school for every child, we also need to ensure that schools and classrooms are those places where all rights of children are respected and that the education imparted is empowering and liberating and of good quality.
He further explained that working towards achieving quality education, ActionAid took the initiative to hold Teachers Assemblies in three phases in collaboration with local partners around the country. During the first two phases assemblies were held at district levels where District Line Officials for Education participated and a teachers network was built for working with them in future.
Ms Anisa Zeb Tahirkheli, Minister of state for education while addressing the convention said that "I have heard all the points and I am in the picture, and I know a lot is going on these days as teachers coalitions are raising their concerns and putting their demands forward." She appreciated the efforts of ActionAid and other teachers coalitions for collaborating supporting and assisting the teachers to come forward for their causes.
She pointed out that Government is working with its multi pronged strategy to tackle with various problems and the data shows that things are improving at all fronts. For the first time government has run a National Education Census which gives detailed data of all the schools. The purpose of this research and data collection is to analyze and identify the problems clearly and categorically and to plan accordingly.
She also said that we have all god policies but the basic issue is that of implementation of these policies and that can only be done when we have facility and resources for this. She said "Investing in education means investing in the future of the nation" and we need to invest more in this sector to bring change in the society and systems. The minister agreed with the participants that training and capacity building of teachers is highly important and such trainings should be provided to them on regular basis.
She further pointed out that the constitution of Pakistan says that free primary education should be made available for all in Pakistan but the plan was never implemented .the need is to stay determined and set deadlines and timeframes for implementation of our plans and policies.
She concluded by saying that the government is determined and committed to make Pakistan such a nation where every child and every adult has the opportunity and access to basic quality education and should become self sufficient in human capital.
Ms Safia Gulrukh, a teacher's representative from NWFP presented the charter of demands and said that the major problem that we face in our area is that children are being taught in three different languages and not in a single language which further confuses the child and creates problems for the teachers as well. She also emphasized the importance of interesting and child friendly syllabus which should be designed in close consultation with the teachers.
Mr. Mazhar Chattah President Punjab Teachers Association Primary and Elementary Education also spoke on the occasion and said that education is the base of our society and being but we are ignorant of this most important area of our development. He said that contact system for hiring teachers affects the teachers workability as there is no job security in such contractual jobs. He said "How can we expect teachers to plan properly and impart quality education if they are always worried about their job and is never confident about the continuation of his work".
He further said that "the issue of provision of facilities is on one hand we don demand more facilities but at least the facilities already available to teachers should not be taken away from them." He also suggested that a National Commission for Teachers should be formed by the government for the solution of teachers' problems in a proper manner.
Ms Mehreen Imtiaz, In charge teachers, New Pathan Kot School,Loralai ,Balochistan said that "We always fuss on the issue of drop out rate which is always increasing but the basic reason is that the syllabus is not in accordance with the mental level of the children and is also very boring which is also a big cause for this high dropout rate."
She emphasized on the inclusion of teachers in planning and syllabus designing process by the authorities. She also stressed those facilities such as medical, house and other allowances should be provided to the teachers.
Mr Imdada ,Vice President, Mehran Association for Teachers Sindh also spoke on the occasion and said that "Education has become an industry today and all the values associated with this field are fading out." He said that every government department working on education is working separately in isolation and without any coordination amongst them or with the teachers. He also said that teachers should be appointed on merit and by no other means.
