Schools lacking scientific apparatuses, libraries, playgrounds

Libraries, playgrounds and apparatuses for laboratories are found lacking in some of the 109 boys' secondary schools monitored nation-wide in November, said a monitoring report of Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) on Monday.
The report said nearly two-fifth of the monitored schools did not have libraries, adding that it is important to encourage students to read books other than those prescribed in 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 percent) schools did not have apparatus for science experiments meaning thereby 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 percent of 109 boys' secondary schools are housed in buildings, have boundary walls, electricity and fans, are well lit, and have chairs and tables for teachers as well as black/white boards. A similar proportion is found to be clean. However, there are no sanitary workers in 27% schools, hinting at the possibility of students sharing cleaning duties.
Good student-to-teacher ratios are observed in the monitored schools where on an average a class of not more than 28 students is assigned to one teacher. Attendance levels are also good with teachers' attendance falling between 76 percent and 100 percent in 101 schools. The same level of attendance is maintained by students in 94 schools. The report said 334 teaching posts and 136 non-teaching positions are lying vacant nation-wide. All schools provide information on teaching posts, while 108 do so for non-teaching positions.