In a landmark development for education in Sindh, only 16% of applicants passed the recently held Teacher Licensing Exam, highlighting serious gaps in teacher competency and training across the province. At a special ceremony held at the Chief Minister House, CM Syed Murad Ali Shah emphasized the urgent need for quality education and accountability in the teaching profession. "
The event, organized by the Sindh Education Department, marked the official awarding of teaching licenses to 646 successful candidates, including 297 Junior Elementary School Teachers (JEST) and 195 pre-service teachers. The licensing initiative, spearheaded by Education Minister Syed Sardar Shah, was launched to ensure merit-based recruitment and elevate teacher quality in public education.
Shah reaffirmed the government's commitment to raising education standards through the Sindh Teacher Education Development Authority (STEDA). Moving forward, only candidates who undergo professional training and pass the licensing assessment will be eligible for recruitment as government school teachers.
Education Minister, Syed Sardar Shah told the presence about specifics and cleared misrepresentation by citizens about the granting of license system. “This is about certifying educators—not controlling them. It took three years to develop this system, and it will revolutionize how teachers are recruited and trained,” he explained.
During the ceremony, some high profile figures were present and they included:
Minister for Livestock Mohammad Ali Malkani
School Education Secretary Zahid Abbasi
Dr. Sajid Ali of Aga Khan University
Shahzad Roy is a social activist and a founder of Zindagi Trust
STEDA Executive Director Rasool Bux Shah
Diplomats, educationists, and members of civil society
These stakeholders expressed their full support for the new teacher licensing framework, calling it a vital step toward educational reform in Sindh.
The low pass rate in the Sindh Teacher Licensing Exam sends a clear message—teacher quality needs immediate and systemic improvement. By implementing a structured licensing system and prioritizing training, merit, and accountability, the Government of Sindh has laid the foundation for a stronger, more reliable education system.