District Steering Committee for Education – Comprehensive Review Meeting

A detailed meeting of the District Steering Committee for Education was convened under the chairmanship of the Additional Deputy Commissioner (F&P) Mardan Syed Fahad Iftikhar to assess the overall performance of educational institutions in the district. The meeting was attended by representatives from the Education Department, Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) wing, relevant district officers, and other stakeholders.

The session commenced with a comprehensive presentation by the M&E Department, highlighting key challenges, performance gaps, and critical areas requiring immediate attention. One of the major concerns raised was the issue of chronic and habitual absenteeism among teaching staff in various government schools. It was noted that several teachers were repeatedly found absent without proper justification, adversely affecting the learning outcomes of students. The committee called for strict disciplinary action against such staff and emphasized the importance of maintaining punctuality and regular attendance.

Another significant issue discussed was the prevalence of single-teacher schools in the district. These schools, particularly in remote and underserved areas, are managed by only one teacher responsible for handling multiple grades. This not only places an excessive burden on the teacher but also compromises the quality of education. The committee recommended a detailed staffing analysis and directed the education authorities to ensure the recruitment or rationalization of teaching staff to address this challenge.

The meeting also reviewed the availability of basic facilities in schools. Many schools were reported to lack essential infrastructure, including electricity, clean drinking water, functional toilets, and boundary walls. The absence of such facilities poses serious concerns for both student safety and learning comfort. It was decided that a comprehensive needs assessment would be carried out, and relevant departments would be engaged to ensure the provision and restoration of these basic amenities on a priority basis.

Furthermore, the committee discussed the need for improving monitoring mechanisms and enhancing coordination among education officers, school heads, and local government representatives to ensure better service delivery in the education sector. The importance of community involvement and School Management Committees (SMCs) was also underscored in maintaining discipline, ensuring accountability, and improving the overall learning environment.

In conclusion, the Additional Deputy Commissioner stressed the need for collaborative efforts to uplift the education standards in the district. All concerned departments were directed to take immediate corrective actions and submit progress reports in the next steering committee meeting. The goal is to create a more efficient, accountable, and student-friendly education system in District Mardan.