Education dept initiates inquiry into officials’ involvement in sale of free textbooks

The Sindh School Education and Literacy Department with the help of police has unearthed a racket of selling free books issued by the government and has also formed a team to investigate the alleged involvement of education department officials.

Officials and sources said on Monday that a major success was made by the education department's Textbook Monitoring Team, which busted a gang that stole textbooks and sold them in the market.

The team had been monitoring measures for the availability of books in schools for a long time. It, with the help of police, recovered a large number of books from a house in Shah Latif Town police remit and also arrested two suspects. In this regard, an FIR has also been registered.

Progress is also underway to take action against the officers and staff involved. Moreover, on the instructions of the education minister, an inquiry committee of the secretary school education has been formed. The school education department suspended the officer charged in the light of a preliminary report. Further action will be taken after the upcoming report of the inquiry committee.

Sindh Education Minister Syed Sardar Ali Shah termed such acts regrettable. He said that affecting the education of thousands of children in exchange for a little greed is a dangerous sign in our society. The educated people of the society should join us in identifying such elements, he said.

The Education and Literacy Department has issued a separate notification in this regard that reads, “A committee comprising the following officers is hereby constituted to conduct enquiry against Deputy District Education Officer (E/S&HS) Malir, Karachi on account of charges of selling out the free text books in the market.

“The chairman of the committee is Special Secretary (PDF), School and Literacy department and the members are, District Education Officer (E/S&HS), South Karachi and Deputy Secretary (Primary), School Education and Literacy department.

The order further reads, an FIR has been lodged in PS Shah Latif, district Malir carrying the details of allegations. The Enquiry Committee shall submit its report to Secretary, School Education and Literacy Department within a week.”

Another notification issued reads, “The services of Deputy District Education Officer (E/S&HS) Malir, Karachi are hereby placed under suspension, with immediate effect, until further orders. He shall draw pay and allowances during suspension period as admissible under the rules. During suspension period, his Head Quarter is fixed at School Education and Literacy department, government of Sindh, Karachi.”