Sindh High Court (SHC) has ordered the Chief Secretary Sindh to complete the work on establishment of modern digital libraries, at least one, in one degree college in every district of the province in three months.
A SHC bench through a written order in a petition issued the orders after Secretary Colleges told the court that there are funds available to establish libraries and he undertook that modern libraries will be established, at least, in one degree college in every district having access for all regular students and passing out students.
Secretary Colleges contended that on college side there are different procurement authorities but unfortunately since many years they have not procured furniture.
He submitted notifications regarding procurement committees and sought involvement and supervision of District & Sessions Judges. The court ordered all District & Sessions Judge to call the relevant principals and director of colleges and ensure that procurement, as per the desire of colleges, is done within six months after fulfilling cordial formalities.
Needless to mention that role of District Judges will be supervisory only hence any malfeasance on the part of committees will expose them to legal consequences, court stated.
The court also ordered Chief Secretary Sindh to ensure that funds are provided to establish modern digital library with facility of Wi-fi, scanning and printers free of costs.
Court said that to stand well in the globalised world, we need experts in all avenues of modern era but normally the students as well parents have never been aware of all avenues so as to choose the liked one which (liking/interest) is always a key for opening unfolds/experts.
This aspect, though recognized, all over the world, is still strange to our education system, court observed and noted that such lacking sometimes may result in costing nations from valuable assets, which we may have, if directed properly.
The court directed Sindh Chief Secretary and Secretary Colleges to create post of career counselors and they shall be appointed on divisional level on urgent basis may be on contract basis, until permanent posts are created,
Counselors shall visit degree colleges, high secondary schools and guide new and all students regarding different avenues to decide their future field, also awareness seminars shall be arranged, order said.
Additional Secretary Local Government submitted report with regard to library and contended that though there are 100 libraries but none of the library has computer facility. He also contended that there is need of establishment of libraries at Union Council level.
The court ordered Focal Person of Chief Secretary Sindh to pursue this aspect and comprehensive report with regard to all library maintained by Culture Department, Education Department, Local Government Department and shall be submitted within two months with substantial progress.