Mid-year teachers shake-up stirs campuses

Islamabad: The Federal Directorate of Education’s (FDE) mid-year teacher transfers across Islamabad’s government colleges have triggered alarm bells for students and faculty members, who fear disruption to learning and uncertainty about meeting academic goals.

Official sources disclose that six teachers from Islamabad Model Postgraduate College, H-8 have been transferred to various public sector educational institutions, including one to Islamabad College for Boys, G-6/3, another to Islamabad Model College for Girls (IMCG), I-14/3, one to IMCB, H-9, one to IMCB, F-10/4, and two to IMCG, I-8/3.

Similarly, five teachers from IMCB, F-10/4 have been posted to IMCG, F-7/4, IMCB, H-9, IMPC, H-8 and IMCG, I-8/3, and three male ones from IMCB, Sihala to IMCG, Humak, and two from H-9 College to ICB, G-6/3 and IMCB, F-7/3.

Experts have voiced concern over the potential academic and administrative fallout of the abrupt teacher reshuffling, arguing that such mid-session disruptions could adversely affect student performance, with limited time remaining in the academic calendar.

"Teachers need time to adapt to new settings, adjust their teaching strategies, and manage student behaviour effectively. Such sudden changes undermine the continuity of education," a college's associate professor told ‘The News’. The affected teachers have also voiced concern, questioning the legality of their transfers.

They highlighted the lack of clarity regarding the term ‘temporary duty,’ which they claim is not recognised by the government’s Appointment, Promotion and Transfer rules. The absence of a specified timeframe for these transfers has further fuelled their uncertainty. An assistant professor criticised the FDE, insisting that these transfers appear to violate Supreme Court orders against placing teachers on temporary or loan-based duties.

“Teachers appointed specifically to Federal Government Colleges are being transferred to model colleges, so their appointments could be legally challenged. The FG and model colleges in Islamabad are distinct entities with separate recruitment rules and seniority lists. Historically, the FDE has treated them as such,” he said.

The senior educator also accused the FDE of ad hoc management practices, insisting that some teachers from colleges have been serving on temporary duties at the FDE headquarters for years in defiance of the Supreme Court's directives. The transfer of male teachers to girls' colleges has also raised concerns. Teachers argued that such transfers violated established norms, as male teachers were originally appointed to the boys’ colleges.

There are concerns about privacy, inadequate facilities such as separate staff rooms and toilets, and the absence of dedicated spaces like smoking areas. “These transfers compromise our working conditions and privacy,” lamented a teacher, who wished to remain anonymous.

The mixed-gender faculty dynamic in girls’ colleges has also raised eyebrows. Teachers cited incidents, such as one at Lahore's Government MAO College, where a male teacher lost life after being falsely accused of harassment. “Such risks underline the need to adhere to established norms in faculty placement,” a teacher said.

A college's vice principal emphasised the academic disruption caused by frequent transfers. “Students take time to adjust to the teaching style and routine of new teachers. Mid-session transfers jeopardise this continuity, directly impacting learning outcomes. The FDE should halt these practices to avoid academic disruptions,” he said.