Fixing staffing issue: Over 500 school teachers to be transferred

Decision taken to ensure a 40:1 student-teacher ratio and will initially be within district.


Muhammad Sadaqat August 27, 2014

ABBOTABAD: Over 500 primary school teachers from across Hazara are going to be transferred as part of the provincial education department’s rationalisation policy, The Express Tribune learnt on Wednesday.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-led government circulated a notice to all DEOs to ensure the correct student to teacher ratio at government schools. According to those familiar with the matter, following “political meddling” there were many primary, middle and high schools which were “overstaffed” according to the 40:1 student to teacher ratio. This caused a shortage of staff at other schools, impacting learning, exam results and literacy rates.



In the next phase, teachers from high and secondary schools will be shuffled to ensure the ratio.

“A teacher is supposed to teach a class of 40 students,” said an official of the education department. “Following the government’s directives, a list of 100 primary school teachers and 16 certified teachers were identified who are serving at overstaffed schools.” These, he added, will now be required to serve in those schools short of teachers.

According to well-placed sources, 201 primary teachers in Haripur have been identified for transfers within the district. In Mansehra, 98 teachers will also be relocated. Similar action is on the cards for teachers in Battagram, Torghar and Kohistan.

Abbottabad Assistant DEO Khursheed Khan said, “Yes it’s true, the government has directed DEOs to rationalize the postings as per the strength of students in each of the schools.” Talking to the media, Khursheed said teachers have been bowing to political influence and have not taken charge at schools where staff shortage was a real problem.

“They also prefer to stay close to their homes irrespective of where there is a post available or not,” said the assistant DEO. “Under this policy, in the next phase teachers from middle, high and secondary schools will be posted wherever there is need.”

Khursheed said, “All those teachers declared surplus will be adjusted within their circles.” He added some of the surplus teachers could also be transferred to other districts but the policy on postings out of the native district is not yet approved.

Azhar Khan, Abbottabad district leader of Mutahida Mahaz Asataza, confirmed these developments. “The bureaucracy is out to stab the PTI government in the back as there is no need for a rationalisation policy,” said Azhar. “Some of the teachers are being posted only to settle political scores; these teachers will move the court to seek a stay order against the decision.”

Published in The Express Tribune, August 28th, 2014.

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