Proposed privatisation of schools in Punjab

PTU threatens to boycott upcoming primary exams

MULTAN: The Punjab Teachers Union members have threatened to boycott the upcoming primary exams if the government did not announce to withdraw its decision regarding privatisation of schools.

It was announced in a rally led by PTU Punjab vice-president Rana Altaf Hussain, which was started from Chowk Nawan Sher and culminated at the Multan Press Club. The protesters carrying banners and placards chanted slogans in favour of their demands. They condemned the proposed privatisation of schools and handing over public sector schools to NGOs. The protesting teachers said that they had Masters degrees but were appointed in scale nine while clerks of other departments having only Matriculation degree were appointed in BPS-14 or in above grade, which was not only unfair but was an insult to teaching profession.

They warned that if their demands were not met then they would expand their protest and would stage a sit-in in front of the Punjab Assembly in Lahore. PTU Punjab VP Rana Altaf said that the teachers were the most respectable members of society who play a crucial role in nation building by educating and grooming new generation.

He lamented that the government and society were treating the teachers as a second class citizens. He claimed that the Punjab government had planned to privatise 5,000 schools gradually in the province. He said that the provincial government would first hand over the schools to the PEF and the foundation would further hand over the schools administration to NGOs or individuals belonging to private sector. He said that they held a meeting with Additional Secretary Schools Rana Akhtar but the government was not ready to reverse its decision. He said that the teachers would oppose the step and completely boycott the examinations process. He demanded the government upgrade PST, EST and SST posts of teachers.

PTU office-bearer Tahir Warraich said that the government’s policy regarding teachers would not be accepted. Ashfaq Ansari said that the proposed privatisation of around 5,000 primary and 648 higher secondary schools in Punjab was unjustified. Rana Abdul Qayyum said that if the government moves ahead with the proposed plan it would adversely affect the children studying at the public schools.