n October 1, the Punjab Higher Education Department announced that it had approved the hiring of 7,354 college teaching interns (CTIs) to fill the vacant teaching slots in colleges across the province. The news excited many a hopeful.

Saadia Abbas, a mass communication degree holder, says she’s been “waiting for this because I knew I’d be selected for this side gig.

“It should help me supplement my monthly earnings. I also know that this experience will not look great on my resume,” she adds.

Since the announcement, the public colleges in the Punjab are reported to have received a barrage of applications. The said positions, set for a duration of six months — from November 1, 2024, to April 30, 2025, — include reserved quotas of five percent for minorities and three percent for persons with disabilities. The decision is part of the government’s efforts to meet the province’s educational needs in the 2024-25 fiscal year.

The required minimum qualification for candidates applying for CTI positions in BS colleges is MS. For some colleges, a BS in at least 2nd division is a must. The selection process involves a marks distribution system where the candidates are awarded 85 marks for their academic qualifications, while additional marks are granted for higher degrees and position-holders. A candidate’s interview presentation accounts for their remaining marks.

The CTIs will receive a monthly stipend of Rs 50,000. However, the nature of their appointment is temporary. The contracts will expire in 4-6 months; sooner if regular teaching staff is appointed. In the event of a resignation or a fresh vacancy, the next candidate on the merit list will be invited to fill in for the duration of the contract.

The CTIs are entitled to two casual leaves in a month, but no travel or daily allowances (TA/DA).

For Abbas, however, the real challenge is the lack of career progression. She relates how she’s gone through several teaching stints since 2016, but of those, the only contract that helped her get admission to an MPhil programme was the one she did at MAO College.

The CTIs will receive a monthly stipend of Rs 50,000. However, the nature of their appointment is temporary. The contracts will expire in 4-6 months; sooner if regular teaching staff is appointed.

Back then, the contract duration was of one year. Later, it was reduced to 11 months. (For the uninitiated, these contracts are part of the Punjab Public Service Commission exams and academic admissions.)

The teaching interns may face considerable delays in receiving their monthly dues. According to Abbas, in some cases, payments “were delayed by up to six months… There’s no regular [payment] schedule.”

In terms of work load, a CTI is supposed to teach four periods in a day. While the job in itself is rewarding, Abbas says she occasionally felt agitated: “There was no one to guide us about our rights and responsibilities. Initially, I was also assigned evening classes, even though my basic job was morning classes. Gradually, I realized that the CTIs are exploited; they are viewed as outsiders and part of an ad hoc arrangement.”

However, Abbas says the process of hiring was “merit-based; it was transparent and protected us against possible manipulation by the college administrations.”

An administrator at Government College for Women, Gulberg, Lahore, not wanting to be named, tells TNS that the “arrangement” made by hiring CTIs is a waste of time for both the interns and the students.

She says that students are often loath to accept the interns as teachers, as they are there for less than a full term. She says that contracts should be for one year, the stipends should be enhanced and the payments should be made on time.

She says that the ideal solution is to fill the vacancies by hiring career teachers. “The PPSC should regularly announce exams to fill the seats,” she saysadds.

The CTIs’ future

To improve the experience of CTIs and ensure a sustainable education system, following recommendations may be considered

* Longer Contracts: Offering longer-term contracts, such as one year, would provide the CTIs with greater job security and stability;

* Regular Payments: Implementing a regular payment schedule would alleviate financial stress for them;

* Career Pathways: Establishing clear career pathways for the CTIs, including opportunities for professional development and advancement, would motivate them and afford them greater job satisfaction;

* Improved Support: Providing the CTIs with adequate support, guidance and training would help them navigate their roles more effectively

Ahsan Malik is a media veteran interested in politics, consumer rights and entrepreneurship