Govt urged to resolve issues of teachers

MARDAN: The All Education Council on Friday urged the government to resolve the long-standing issues faced by teachers and the Education Department.

Speaking at a press conference in the Mardan Press Club, Education Council President Usman Sanger warned that so-called reforms were in fact attempts to destroy the public education system.

Education Council General Secretary Hafiz Inam, and others were also present. They criticized the government’s policy of outsourcing schools to private entities, adding that the move would undermine the education system. The leaders said that abolishing pensions for government employees amounted to economic exploitation, noting that it was the right of the teachers to be promoted. They added that delays in promotions were spreading frustration among staff members. They demanded that the shortage of staff in schools be addressed and that political interference in the Education Department be brought to an end. The council leaders called for a solution to the shortage of textbooks, a clear policy on teachers’ upgradation.

They further demanded that examination and duty assignments at the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education Mardan be made strictly on merit and that the long-standing land ownership issue be resolved. They said the teachers across the district would launch a protest movement if their demands were not met.