College teachers complain about prolonged tenures of principals

Islamabad : Teachers of government colleges in Islamabad have complained about the extended terms of principals, insisting the prolonged tenures have led to poor performance, financial mismanagement and misuse of resources.

They told 'The News' that some principals were neglecting their duties, misusing funds and engaging in favouritism, causing unrest among students and employees.

Among the long-serving principals are Shazia Wazir (Islamabad Model College for Girls I-14/3, since July 2020), Dr Muhammad Khalid (Islamabad Model Postgraduate College H-8, since January 2021), Professor Javaid Iqbal Mughal (Islamabad Model College for Boys H-9, for the last five years) and Dr Fozia Tanveer (Islamabad Model College for Girls F-7/2, since 2022).

The teachers, who requested anonymity, claimed that a principal reportedly visited her college twice a week only and forced her drawing and disbursing officer to sign blank student fund cheques without providing purchase receipts.

They said while some principals enjoyed extended postings in urban colleges, others, like Professor Zahoor Ahmad (Islamabad Model College for Boys Sihala serving in the office since October 2020) and Dr Humaira (Islamabad Model College for Girls Humak, since August 2021), faced lengthy commutes to their remote postings.

Staff members also highlighted the appointment of junior officers, like Ayesha Kiyani as principal of Islamabad Model College for Girls F-7/4, allegedly bypassing seniority and merit for a position in a downtown city college.

While there are complaints about students being heavily fined for minor infractions, resources in some colleges, such as vehicles meant for emergencies, are reportedly used for personal purposes by top administrative officers.

At Islamabad Model Postgraduate College H-8, a van meant for transporting girl students and serving as an ambulance is being used by a senior staff member's family, leaving it unavailable for emergencies, according to a non-teaching employee.

He claimed that recently, students injured in a campus fight had to be taken to the hospital in a teacher's personal car due to the van's unavailability.

An official of the FDE, which regulates government colleges in Islamabad, told 'The News' that long tenures allowed principals to monopolise decision-making, sideline committees, and exploit college resources for personal use.

"Over time, they [principals] create loyal factions, fostering mistrust and stifling innovation," he argued.

A college principal expressed support for rotational policies, saying the lack of rotation fosters workplace corruption. She said regular transfers would ensure accountability and fairness while breaking entrenched networks.

Teachers and other staff members have advocated for a transparent, merit-based transfer and posting policy to address these concerns. They also urged education authorities to prioritise principals, who have served in adverse rural conditions, for transfers to accessible urban colleges as a matter of equity and motivation.

"These issues highlight the urgent need for reforms in the transfer and posting policies for principals to ensure accountability and fairness," a teacher said.