On March 31, 2024, the Government of Sindh announced the names of the 646 teachers who successfully cleared Pakistan's first Teaching License Test, held on January 28, 2024, under the recently approved Sindh Teaching License Policy 2023. This milestone marks a significant step forward in improving the professionalism and status of teachers in Sindh, ultimately leading to enhanced learning outcomes for students. The test saw the participation of 4,000 teachers from both government and private sectors.
The test is a culmination of several years of untiring effort towards teaching licenses in Pakistan. AKU-IED's involvement in developing the Teaching Licence Policy dates back to 2017, in partnership with the Sindh Teachers Education Development Authority (STEDA). This initiative was furthered through national and international policy dialogues in 2021, culminating in the issuance of a White Paper authored by Dr Sajid Ali, Professor, AKU-IED, and Afaq Ahmed (AKU MPhil in Education, Class of '21), alongside partners from Durbeen and STEDA, in 2022.
The Government of Sindh's approval of the policy in May 2023, paved the way for the launch of the Teaching License test in December 2023. AKU-IED and its partners remain committed to supporting the professional development of teachers in Sindh and look forward to continued collaboration with the government and other stakeholders to further enhance the quality of education in the province.
Dr Farid Panjwani, Dean, AKU-IED, praised the teachers who sought to obtain their Teaching Licenses, stating, "A teaching license may appear to be for teachers, but it is, in fact, for children. It is to ensure that children's education is entrusted to people who are capable, caring, and with whom they will be safe. The efforts of these teachers will pay off not only in the short term but also in the long run, leading to the improvement of the quality of education imparted to generations of students to come."
Teacher development and elevating the status of the teaching profession has been at the heart of AKU-IED's educational endeavours since its establishment in 1993. The Institute continues to pioneer initiatives that enhance the quality of education and contribute to the professional growth of teachers across Pakistan.
