Staff Report
ISLAMABAD - The principals of school have warned the high-ups of Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD) and Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) to meet their demands within 10 days, otherwise they would be on roads.
An emergent meeting of heads association of schools was presided over by Tariq Khattak. All the office-bearers showed their deep concern about the indifferent attitude of FDE and CADD regarding the issues of the FG educational institutions of Islamabad.
The president expressed the grievances of teachers and highlighted the gravity of the running issues.
The president of the association Tariq Khattak warned the high-ups of CADD and FDE if their demands were not met within ten days, the teaching community would be on roads. The association demanded removal of recently appointed Area Education Officers, as their appointments were not on merit. They sought a merit-based policy to be implemented.
The members also demanded to release funds on emergency basis to give the house rental ceiling to teachers that has not been paid to them for the last two years.
They were of the view that upgradation process of teachers should be expedited according to the directives of the Prime Minister and the promotion of BPS-18 to BPS-19 should also be announced immediately.
Meanwhile, in a joint statement the office-bearers of the Federal Government Colleges Teachers Association (FGCTA) have expressed a sigh of relief over the appointment of Nazar Muhammad Gondal in the Federal Cabinet. In a joint resolution adopted in their urgently called meeting, the members of FGCTA have hailed the minister with whom they wish to work very well.
‘This is the most important improvement for the unsure troubles of teaching community of capital metropolis as their awaiting issues such as upgradation of the posts of college teachers, implementation of open new time scale promotion formula and non-availability of finances in the head of house rental ceiling have never been solved because CADD has been without a minister. We are pleased that a political figure has taken over as minister who of course has the ambition and expertise to deliver according to the wishes and demands of our community’ the statement said.
Professor Tahir Mahmood, Secretary General FGCTA, said, “We expect the minister to help us get the earliest promotions to the higher grades, which are being delayed.” The posts of teachers should be upgraded according to PM Directive issued on February 17, 2011 without any discrimination.”
He said the Lecturer should be given BPS-18 instead of BPS-17, Assistant Professor should be given BPS-19 instead of BPS-18, Associate Professor should be given BPS-20 instead of BPS-19 and a Professor should be given BPS-21 instead of BPS-20.
“Moreover, we implore the honourable minister to help us get Rs 1017 million funds released forthwith. There is a backlog of Rs.1017 for payment of house rental ceiling since 2006 the house owners are no more willing to rent out houses to teachers because there are no funds available for the last two years,” he added.
Professor Zahid Ali Shah, President FGCTA, has drawn the attention of the minister to set up new colleges in the Capital, as there is acute shortage of educational facilities in the rapidly growing capital.
Many colleges are offering evening and afternoon classes to temporarily adjust the deficit but it is not a natural way of providing education to the children of federal employees who come from far-flung areas of Pakistan to serve the central government. There is a dire need to set up at least four more F.G colleges in Golra, G-13, Bhara Kahu and Chak Shahzad, he added.
Professor Khalida Makhdoom, Senior Vice President, FGCTA, hoped that the minister would take part in solving the long outstanding problems of college teachers teaching in F.G colleges and will help in uplifting these institutions through his patronage.
Professor Yasmeen Bokhari, Vice President, FGCTA said, “There is a dire need to have comprehensive transportation system for schools and colleges in the metropolis.
Every year one or the other precious life of a student is lost in road accidents as children and youth scuffle with private transport service providers and often youth fall from the over-crowded vans and buses”.
