Deputy headmistresses face last-minute hurdles in securing promotions Jamila Achakzai

Islamabad :Concerns are mounting among deputy headmistresses in Islamabad Model Colleges as they face possible exclusion from the promotion process to the posts of Senior Headmistress (BPS-20) due to administrative delays and bureaucratic obstacles. With the Central Selection Board (CSB) meeting set to commence on March 11, the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE), at the eleventh hour asked the deputy Headmistresses to get endorsements for three Senior Headmistress posts from ministry of Finance, leaving them frustrated and scrambling to meet the deadline.

The issue stems from a 2022 Islamabad High Court (IHC) decision, where Justice Mohsin Akhter Kiyani directed the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Finance to rectify the disrupted promotion formula for teachers in junior sections of Islamabad Model Colleges. The court’s decision led to the addition of three BPS-20 posts of Senior Headmistresses by eliminating three BPS-17 posts. However, despite the court’s directive, the promotion process has been marred by delays and inefficiencies.

In a last-minute move, FDE officials instructed deputy headmistresses to personally secure endorsements for the three BPS-20 posts from the Ministry of Finance by Monday, March 11—just one working day before the CSB meeting. Teachers argue that this requirement places an undue burden on them, as they are neither familiar with the internal workings of the ministries nor equipped to navigate the bureaucratic maze.

“It is not the duty of teachers to run from pillar to post to do the job of the FDE. The FDE itself should have obtained the endorsement of posts,” said one deputy headmistress, expressing her frustration. “We are not familiar with the offices of the Ministry of Finance or the Establishment Division, and time is running out. Only Monday is left to complete this process.”

Another deputy headmistress highlighted the gravity of the situation, stating, “This is a clear contempt of court if our promotions are not considered in the upcoming CSB meeting. The Secretary of Education, as the head of the department, must intervene and ensure that all formalities are completed. It is the responsibility of the FDE and the Ministry of Education to facilitate this process, not to leave teachers running from pillar to post.”

Teachers have also pointed out the disparity in how promotions are handled for bureaucrats versus educators. “Bureaucrats secure their own promotions smoothly, whereas teachers are forced to chase their cases outside their department,” lamented one teacher.

The teachers appealed to Education Secretary Mohyuddin Ahmed Wani to intervene and direct the FDE to complete the necessary paperwork and endorsements on Monday. Failure to do so, they argue, would not only deprive deserving teachers of their rightful promotions but also undermine the court’s directive to ensure a fair and transparent promotion process.