KARACHI (Staff Reporter) The Sindh Cabinet has formally approved new rules and regulations for appointments to key positions within educational boards, including Chairmen, Secretaries, Controllers of Examinations, and Audit Officers. These reforms aim to overhaul the administrative structure of education boards and ensure merit-based appointments.
New Mechanism for Appointments
Under the newly approved rules, all appointments for Grade 17 and above will be conducted through a high-level “Appointment and Promotion Committee.” A separate committee will be formed for vacancies in Grade 16 and below. The final approval for all such appointments will be granted by the respective Controlling Authority.
Eligibility Criteria and Age Limits for Key Posts
According to the details, the criteria for various top-tier positions are as follows:
- Chairman Education Board (BPS-19/20): Recruitment will be based on a three-year contract via public advertisement. Candidates must hold a Master’s degree with 15 years of administrative experience in the educational or government sector. The upper age limit has been reduced from 62 to 60 years.
- Board Secretary (BPS-19): Requires 16 years of education and at least 12 years of experience in administrative or financial affairs. The age limit is set between 35 and 50 years.
- Controller of Examinations (BPS-19): Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in Public Administration, Management Sciences, or IT, along with 12 years of relevant experience.
- Audit Officer (BPS-18): An MBA (Finance), M.Com, or ACCA qualification with 5 years of experience is mandatory. The age limit is up to 50 years.
Promotion and Direct Recruitment Quota
The new regulations also define the ratio between promotions and direct recruitment for several cadres:
- Secretary Officer (BPS-17): 50% of posts will be filled through direct recruitment and 50% through promotions. The age bracket for candidates is 24 to 32 years.
- Assistant Secretary and Research Officer: A similar 50-50 formula for direct recruitment and promotion will be implemented for these roles.
Transparency and Governance
During the briefing to the provincial cabinet, it was highlighted that previously, service rules for education boards were only approved by the Board of Governors, which bypassed several legal requirements. The new rules have been drafted in consultation with the Law Department and SGA&CD to restore public confidence in the examination and administrative system.