In a bid to improve students’ attendance and discipline, the provincial education department of Sindh has issued comprehensive guidelines for both parents and school administrations. The directives aim to ensure that students attend classes regularly and refrain from wandering outside the school premises during school hours.
The education department’s guidelines propose a multi-faceted approach to oversee students’ activities. Schools and parents are encouraged to explore innovative methods for student monitoring, such as discreetly incorporating GPS devices in vehicles, bags, and lunch boxes. Additionally, the guidelines stress the importance of robust CCTV camera monitoring within the school premises. To further enhance student safety and engagement, the use of SMS alerts for student entry and exit from the school, along with fostering social connectivity among parents, has been recommended.
The Directorate of Inspection and Registration of Private Institutions Sindh issued a notification expressing concerns about the lack of adequate regulation of student affairs. The notification highlighted the irregular attendance and disinterest in education among some students, particularly those in class IX and above. The department’s observation also noted that students were often found wandering in various places, such as parks, beaches, coffee shops, restaurants, markets, and amusement sites, leading them to engage in undesirable and antisocial activities.
The education department emphasized that these trends are detrimental to students’ academic progress and overall development. The notification attributed this situation to a mutual lack of discipline enforcement by both parents and school administrations.
In order to address these challenges, the education department urged collaboration between school administrations and parents. The guidelines underscore the collective responsibility of ensuring student discipline. The department called for regular meetings with parents to discuss attendance and academic progress, surprise visits by parents to schools to monitor students’ presence, vigilant supervision of students within the school premises, and enhanced security measures for students’ entry and exit during school hours.
The aim of these guidelines is not only to improve student attendance but also to foster a conducive learning environment that promotes positive behaviors and prevents students from engaging in harmful activities. The education department envisions a collaborative effort between parents and schools to ensure the well-rounded development of students while maintaining high educational standards.
