Teachers ignored for Academic Excellence Awards

Islamabad: Teachers of Islamabad’s public sector schools and colleges have complained they're ignored by the Federal Directorate of Education for the Academic Excellence Awards despite their key role in the students’ outstanding exam results.

They wonder why only principals were honoured over high standards of achievement and performance in academics by their educational institutions and say they feel discriminated against by the regulator.

During a special Academic Excellence Awards ceremony here, the FDE gave away cash prizes and letters of appreciation to 58 principals. However, there was no formal acknowledgement for the deserving teachers, who felt ‘undervalued and overlooked.’ A college teacher told ‘The News’ that a wave of disappointment had swept through Islamabad’s teaching community after the FDE overlooked their excellent performance in the academic domain for accolades.

"Our dedication and hard work often go unnoticed. We are the ones in the trenches shaping the minds of tomorrow, yet we are ignored when it comes to acknowledgement and rewards. Teachers are the backbone of the education system, as they mould children and youth into capable individuals. However, there seems to be no importance to teachers in the eyes of those at the helm who do not know the ABC of academics. In fact, the directorate lacks vision. The administration's failure to recognise the contributions of teachers reflects a fundamental disconnect between policymakers and the realities of the classroom," she said. Another teacher said she spent many years of her life nurturing her students' abilities but was let down to see her college principal receive the Academic Excellence Award and cash prize instead of her.

"I invested significant effort into fostering my students' abilities, yet instead of being acknowledged, my principal got away with the award. It is really disheartening to see the teachers who tirelessly worked behind the scenes overlooked." The teacher called for the intervention of the education minister to step in to address that ‘act of injustice’ towards teachers. "Authorities should recognise the crucial role teachers play in shaping society and ensure the tireless efforts of teachers do not go unnoticed," she said.