KARACHI – Sindh Education Minister Syed Sardar Ali Shah said on Monday that the provincial government is unable to issue joining letters to music teachers despite their successful recruitment because of a court ruling.
Speaking to reporters, Shah explained that the teachers had cleared the IBA Sukkur recruitment test for music two years ago and were issued offer letters.
However, during the caretaker government, petitions were filed challenging the entire recruitment process. The Sindh High Court subsequently struck down the hiring process and ordered the government to re-advertise the posts.
“We felt in 2023 that music should be a part of schools to enhance children’s creativity and mental growth. That is why we created 750 posts for music teachers and 750 for other subjects,” Shah said. “Out of the candidates, 319 cleared the test and were issued offer letters.”
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The minister said he had repeatedly advised the affected teachers to approach the court, since they were hired on merit, but the matter remains unresolved. “We cannot give them joining against the court’s decision,” he reiterated.
Outlining possible solutions, Shah said the government could either conduct the test again through IBA or the teachers could challenge the matter in court.
Calling the teachers “close to his heart,” Shah added that the education department had already arranged various trainings for them and valued their potential contribution to schools.
Earlier, dozens of music teachers staged a protest outside the Karachi Press Club, carrying harmoniums and dholkis while chanting folk slogans against the government’s failure to issue their joining letters.
