Teachers to boycott census duties if demands not met

LAHORE

A large number of schoolteachers staging a peaceful protest demonstration against Punjab Schools Department warned of boycotting the ongoing census duties if the authorities failed to address their genuine concerns this time.  

The demo was organised by the United Teachers Council (UTC) in which dozens of female schoolteachers also participated. Carrying banners and placards, they criticised the Schools Department for, what they termed, punishing teachers without any reason, delaying upgradation of teaching posts and handing over schools to Daanish Schools Authority. The demo caused traffic mess on the Lower Mall and The Mall Road for quite some time. It is pertinent to mention here that UTC had warned to march towards Civil Secretariat observing the Schools Department was not sincere in resolving their genuine issues. 

UTC leaders, speaking on the occasion, came hard on the Schools Department, saying the schoolteachers were being threatened with disciplinary action for protesting against the government. They warned that if the department failed again to fulfill the already agreed demands the UTC in its general body meeting scheduled for 28th of March might announce boycotting census duties.  

Security: The Civil Lines SP held a meeting with the management of category A and A-plus schools in connection with their security here on Friday.