Out of her depth: Environmental science grad appointed as chemistry lecturer

Samina Rehman was appointed in 2002 to a post which required five years of relevant experience

PESHAWAR: An illegal appointment has been unearthed in City District Government College for Women where a candidate with a master’s degree in environmental science was appointed as a chemistry lecturer in 2002.

The appointment was uncovered following a complaint submitted to the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Right to Information (RTI) office by a resident of Peshawar in July 2015. According to documents with The Express Tribune, RTI officials asked the college administration to provide details of lecturers hired in 2002.

The college provided the RTI office with information which revealed lecturer Samina Rehman, who holds an MSc in Environmental Science, was appointed as a chemistry lecturer in BPS-17. The posts were advertised by City District Government College for Women against vacant seats on August 23, 2002 in local newspapers. At the time, the selection was carried out by a five-member committee which included the district nazim, deputy district nazim, district coordination officer and district education officer.

A college official told The Express Tribune Rehman was appointed on the recommendations of the committee. The official said she was not the only candidate who was hired “on the basis of favouritism.” There were also other lecturers who were employed purely under political influence, the college official said. He added merit was not taken into consideration while appointing teaching staff.

The official demanded the RTI commission investigate the case and take action against those responsible.

Not the required experience

K-P RTI Commissioner Kaleemullah confirmed Samia Rehman’s documents stated she had an MSc in Environmental Science, but she still held the post of the chemistry lecturer.

He told The Express Tribune the job posting said the candidate should have a master’s degree in chemistry and should possess at least five years of relevant experience. However, the selection committee at the time violated the rules and recommended Rehman for the post.

The RTI commissioner commented there would be several people in different government institutions who were appointed in violation of the rules. He appealed to the public to disclose such irregularities in government departments.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, January 18^th, 2016.