Educational schemes: K-P government to construct 20 new colleges

CM announces increase of Rs5,000 in salaries of teachers who have completed MPhil

PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Pervez Khattak has announced the government’s plans to establish 20 new colleges in the province.

He was addressing a delegation from a newly elected teachers association at Chief Minister House on Tuesday.

Khattak informed participants about efforts made to enhance the quality of education in the province. He said the construction of women universities in Swabi and Mardan will also be completed soon.



“This will help provide quality education to women,” he said. The chief minister added work on establishing home economics colleges in Nowshera and Abbottabad has been completed.



Loose ends

Speaking on the occasion, members of the association briefed the CM about challenges faced by teachers. Khattak vowed to address their grievances on a priority basis.

“We are satisfied with the the provincial government’s efforts to develop the education sector,” said Nasrullah Khan, the president of the association. “We have witnessed positive changes in the province in this regard.”



However, Nasrullah said, there were some concerns which were yet to be addressed. “School principals receive an allowance of Rs600 along with their monthly salary,” he said. “However, they have to pay Rs13,000 as income tax, which is unjust.”

The delegation also urged Khattak to issue directives regarding the service structure of the teaching staff.

Nasrullah also said promotions of a large number of teachers have been pending for a long time. “The previous government had promised to resolve the matter, but it failed to do so,” he said.

The association’s president requested the chief minister to take effective measures to ensure the welfare of teachers.



Incentives

During the meeting, the CM also issued instructions to appoint female teachers at institutes near their homes and announced an increase of Rs5,000 in salaries of the teachers who have completed their MPhil.

“I understand the importance of education system as it brings positive change in society,” Khattak said. “Teachers are an integral part of this system.”

Published in The Express Tribune, December 2^nd, 2015.