Improving the education system, strengthening schools, and ensuring transparent, merit-based recruitment have always been among the key expectations from the Government of Sindh. Every policy is expected to strike a balance between maintaining educational standards and ensuring fairness for capable and hardworking young people. However, the current requirement of 55 passing marks for the recruitment of Junior School Teachers (JST) has caused serious concern among thousands of talented candidates across Sindh. Many applicants are on the verge of losing the opportunity for government employment simply because they fell short by one or two marks a situation that has become a significant social and humanitarian concern.
The greatest inconsistency in this matter lies within the Education Department’s own policies. A review of previous recruitment processes shows that candidates securing only 33% marks were declared successful and appointed as Primary School Teachers (PSTs). Moreover, the Government of Sindh’s landmark Teaching License Examination also sets the passing requirement at 50 marks.
If 33% marks are considered sufficient for the appointment of Primary School Teachers, and 50 marks are acceptable for obtaining a teaching license, then what is the rationale behind imposing a much stricter requirement of 55 marks for JST recruitment? Such inconsistent standards within the same Education Department have created uncertainty, disappointment, and a deep sense of injustice among candidates.
Most young people in Sindh belong to poor or middle income families. Their parents often make great financial sacrifices, endure hardships, and even borrow money to provide higher education for their children. These candidates dedicate years to preparing for competitive examinations despite limited resources, spending countless days and sleepless nights in pursuit of their dreams. Yet, when they are excluded from the recruitment process due to a difference of only a few marks, not only are their aspirations shattered, but the hopes of their aging parents are also deeply affected. Such circumstances foster frustration and hopelessness in society.
At present, thousands of schools in rural and underdeveloped areas of Sindh are either non-functional due to a shortage of teachers or are being managed by a single teacher. The Education Department has thousands of vacant teaching positions. At such a critical time, excluding capable candidates solely because of a five-mark difference will ultimately harm the education of underprivileged children across the province.
Reducing the passing requirement from 55 to 50 marks would not compromise educational standards, as candidates securing 50 marks are also competent and merit-worthy. On the contrary, such a decision would enable the Education Department to recruit more qualified teachers, fill long-vacant positions, and restore effective teaching and learning activities in schools.
In developed countries, as well as in many reputable institutions across Pakistan, recruitment standards are designed to balance merit with practical needs. The objective of recruitment policies should be to identify and appoint the most suitable candidates, rather than imposing unnecessarily rigid criteria that eliminate capable individuals at the initial stage. The Education Department of Sindh should adopt a similarly balanced and youth friendly approach.
Today, Sindh urgently needs dedicated teachers who possess knowledge, competence, and a genuine passion for teaching. Many candidates who narrowly missed the current passing threshold may still prove to be highly effective educators in real classroom environments.
We respectfully appeal to the Government of Sindh, the Provincial Minister for Education, Sardar Shah, and the Secretary of the Education Department to review the existing 55 mark passing requirement for JST recruitment and reduce it to 50 marks. Such a decision would bring hope and happiness to thousands of deserving families, restore young people’s confidence in the government, and contribute significantly to a stronger and brighter educational future for Sindh.
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