Six teachers suspended over protest against schools’ privatisation

Rawalpindi:The District Education Authority (DEA) Rawalpindi has suspended six officials from teachers’ organisations who protested against the privatization of public educational institutions. Show-cause notices were issued to them on Tuesday, following a demonstration where a large number of teachers blocked Murree Road and raised slogans against the policies of the Punjab government.

The local administration took action in response to the protest, which saw the participation of teachers demanding the reversal of government decisions related to school privatization. A heavy contingent of police was deployed to maintain law and order during the demonstration.

The suspended teachers have been ordered to appear before the competent authority on the dates mentioned in their show-cause notices. Among those suspended are EST Qazi Imran of Government Boys Higher Secondary School Loco Shed Rawalpindi, EST Nazim Ali Sati of Government High School Karur Kotli Satian, EST Raja Tariq Mehmood of Government Boys High School Lahri Tehsil Kahota, and Khadiyot Tehsil Kahota.

In the notices, Head Teacher Samad Idris, Akhian Gul, and PST Raja Taimur Akbar are accused of using social media, including WhatsApp, to mobilize other teachers to close schools. Additionally, they are charged with displaying protest banners outside educational institutions, actions deemed in violation of the Education Act, 2006. The notices, issued under the PEDA Act, require the teachers to appear before the District Education Officer (DEO) on September 25 and 26, failing which, strict departmental action will be initiated.

Meanwhile, the Grand Teachers Alliance Rawalpindi organized a massive protest against the privatization of public schools. A large number of male and female teachers participated, carrying banners and placards while chanting slogans against the government's policies.

The teachers rejected the privatization decision and demanded the immediate withdrawal of the leave encashment and pension rules notification. They also warned that if the government does not reverse its privatization decision, they would stage a sit-in (dharna) outside the Punjab Assembly in Lahore.