Sindh Education Minister Syed Sardar Ali Shah has announced a one-hour reduction in school timings across the province due to the ongoing extreme heat.
Speaking at an event in Karachi, Shah said Sindh had still not been able to establish a uniform education policy, which has left many students facing difficult learning conditions.
He pointed out that some children are forced to attend classes in the open despite temperatures rising to 52°C. In some schools, students do not even have proper roofs to protect them from the heat.
The minister said children cannot be expected to continue their studies in such severe weather without proper shelter. He stressed the need for urgent steps to provide schools with roofs and other basic facilities to keep students safe from harsh weather conditions.
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Shah also called on the federal government to increase education funding from the Rs1.2 trillion annual Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP). He said more resources are needed to tackle the long-standing issues affecting the education sector.
According to the minister, millions of children are studying through community-based education centres. However, these centres are facing increasing financial pressure as their budgets have remained unchanged for the last three years. Inflation has also pushed up their operating expenses.
Shah said Sindh’s Rs480 billion education budget should clearly distinguish between funds allocated for salaries and pensions and those meant for other expenses. He also stressed the importance of transparency in both operational and non-operational spending.
The education minister further called for funds to be provided directly to the community organisations operating these education centres. He said the centres are not commercial ventures but are managed by organisations working closely with local communities.