Discrimination as college teachers denied earned leaves

Islamabad : Bachelor of Science teachers in Islamabad's government colleges have complained about the denial of annual earned leaves despite entitlement.

They insist that they work all year, even during the school summer break, but can't avail themselves of earned leaves, unlike employees of other government departments, including the Federal Directorate of Education, the regulator for public sector schools and colleges in Islamabad.

This discrepancy in leave entitlements emerged after the introduction of the Bachelor of Science programme in Islamabad's colleges in 2018, according to a teacher.

He told 'The News' that college teachers used to have 70 annual days of summer holidays and 10 earned leaves, equivalent to one day for every working month, before the launch of BS classes.

The teacher, however, said for the new programme, educators were required to remain on duty throughout the year, even during the summer vacation when schools were closed.

"This workload shift calls for parity in leave entitlements. Teachers should be treated like other government servants, who get 48 days of annual earned leaves, which are equal to four days for every month worked," he said.

He said if authorities wanted teachers to work all year, the latter should be entitled to the same leave benefits as employees of other government departments.

Another college teacher insisted that not only were earned leaves a respite for teachers from the stressful duty, but they, if not used, promised a good amount of cash as well.

"Government employees receive cash for unused earned leaves at the time of retirement," he said.

Another teacher said her college's principal forwarded her name, along with other BS teachers, to the FDE last year for the grant of 48 days of earned leave, but the relevant officials ignored the request, much to her frustration.

"Those foregoing their summer holidays for work should not be disadvantaged," she said.

The college teachers demanded the education ministry's intervention for an immediate end to the leave entitlement discrepancy, to their relief.