Teachers complain about ‘unfair’ leave policy

Islamabad:As government schools in the Islamabad Capital Territory resumed classes on Wednesday following the summer break, their teachers complained about the current leave policy of the federal education department.

With the reduction of summer vacation from the usual duration to 43 days (June 10 to July 23), the educators insisted that they're treated unfairly compared to other government employees. They demanded that the federal education department be reclassified as a non-vocational department, similar to entities in other government sectors, to receive the same benefits. The teachers told 'The News' that currently, all government employees were entitled to 48 days of annual earned leave annually, which could be carried over or cashed out on retirement.

They, however, said teachers received just 10 days of earned leave a year, with the rest of their leave time accounted for through school breaks. A woman educator flayed the restrictive leave policy, highlighting the disparity between teachers and other government employees.

"Unlike others who can utilise their 48 days of earned leave at their discretion, save them for later, or even encash them upon retirement, we teachers are allotted 10 days of earned leave only, with the remainder of our time off coming in the form of vacations. But with summer vacation now shortened to just 43 days, these breaks offer little benefit. The government should reclassify the education department as non-vocational, granting us the same leave benefits as employees of other sectors," she said.

Another teacher expressed frustration, pointing out the stark contrast in benefits between educators and other government employees in non-vocational departments. She said while other government employees enjoyed a range of perks, including additional earned leave, 15 days of annual recreation leave, and financial incentives like executive and special allowances, teachers of public sector schools and colleges were left with diminished benefits.

"Summer vacation used to be a three-month break in the 90s but has been slashed to just one and a half months, rendering its supposed benefit nearly meaningless." The educator advocated for a revision of the rules to declare the education department a non-vocational entity, which, she said, will grant teachers the same entitlement to 48 days of earned leave as their counterparts in other government sectors. However, not all teachers share the opinion, with some arguing that summer breaks are essential due to the demanding nature of their profession. "Many assume that teaching is a 'part-time' job, with educators spending only a few hours in the classroom, but the reality is far from the truth. Our workload includes planning lessons, developing curriculum, marking exam papers, maintaining discipline, preparing students for extracurricular activities, invigilating exams, and developing ourselves professionally. Additionally, we serve on various committees to ensure effective school operations and take on extra responsibilities like population census and election duties when requested by the government," she said.

This teacher emphasised the need for adequate breaks to recharge and manage the intense workload. "Annual break from work is vital for us [teachers] to rejuvenate and evaluate their teaching methods. Summer holidays, specifically, provide a crucial opportunity for rest and self-reflection, allowing us to revitalise their physical and mental well-being, and return to the classroom with renewed energy," she said.