School teachers protest TNA test, privatisation

LAHORE : Hundreds of male and female teachers gathered at Education Complex, Hall Road here on Saturday to protest a range of issues including the handover of public schools to private sector, continuation of the Training Needs Assessment (TNA) test and recent disciplinary actions against teachers.

The demonstration was organised by the Grand Teachers Alliance, with participants marching to GPO Chowk, holding placards and chanting in support of their demands.

They also chanted slogans against Punjab Education Minister and the School Education Department.

Leaders like Rana Liaqat, Kashif Shehzad Chaudhry, Syed Mudassar Hussain, Rana Ilyas and others addressed the rally, emphasising that teachers across Punjab were united and prepared to oppose what they see as retaliatory measures by the government over privatisation of schools and anti-TNA protests.

They condemned recent removal of teachers from service, suspensions, and warnings issued to teachers, accusing the School Education Department (SED) Punjab of using these tactics to silence dissents.

Speakers argued that the Training Needs Assessment test was allegedly an attempt to undermine teachers rather than support their growth and called for alternative capacity-building measures, such as relevant subject training and refresher courses.

They demanded an end to privatisation efforts, the reinstatement of leave encashment, and permanent status for Secondary School Educators (SSEs) and Assistant Education Officers (AEOs).

The Grand Teachers Alliance warned that if their demands are not met, protests will intensify, including sit-ins on major roads and in front of key government buildings.