PAKISTAN: 109 boys’ secondary schools lack basic educational facilities

109 boys’ secondary schools lack basic educational facilities

Libraries, playgrounds and apparatus for laboratories were found lacking in some of the 109 boys' secondary schools monitored nationwide in November, according to a monitoring report of Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).

The report said nearly two-fifths of the monitored schools did not have libraries, adding that it is important to encourage students to read books other than those prescribed by the syllabus to broaden their horizons.

FAFEN Governance Monitors visited 109 boys' secondary schools in 68 districts across the country. Forty-six schools were monitored in 27 Punjab districts, 32 in 22 KP districts, 26 in 14 Sindh districts, two in as many districts in both Balochistan and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), while one school was monitored in Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT).

More than a fifth (22%) schools did not have apparatus for science experiments meaning that students are unable to see evidence of the scientific theories taught in classes. It is highly probable that comprehension of these subjects is compromised because of such shortcomings.

A third of the monitored schools did not have playgrounds and nearly a quarter of them did not have serving Physical Training Instructors (PTIs).

However the report added that conditions of physical infrastructure were well met as at least 85% of 109 boys secondary schools were housed in buildings, had boundary walls, electricity, and fans, were well lit, and had chairs and tables for teachers as well as black/white boards. A similar proportion was found to be clean.

However, there were no sanitary workers in 27% schools, hinting at the possibility of students sharing cleaning duties.

Good student-to-teacher ratios were observed in the monitored schools where on average, a class of not more than 28 students was assigned to one teacher.

Attendance levels were also good with teachers' attendance falling between 76% and 100% in 101 schools.

The same level of attendance was maintained by students in 94 schools.

The report said 334 teaching posts and 136 non-teaching positions were lying vacant nationwide. All schools provided information on teaching posts, while 108 did so for non-teaching positions.