Mixed reaction: Schools in Mohmand remain open amidst call for boycott

Teacher absenteeism closely scrutinised by independent monitoring teams

SHABQADAR:

Schools in Mohmand Agency remained open on Monday even though teachers from the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) had announced on Sunday they will shut down schools. Teachers from Fata have been protesting as their demands for promotion and pay raise had not been met by the government.

On Monday, protests were held everywhere in Fata; one was held in front of National Press Club in Islamabad. A protest was also held in Mohmand Agency at the press club in agency headquarters Ghallanai. Leaders for teachers unions Muhammad Naeem, Molvi Abdul Haq and Mujahid Mohmand were among those who addressed the teachers’ who had gathered there.

One of the teachers present at the press club said the FATA Secretariat has not given teachers their due rights. Mujahid said teachers from Fata teach in dangerous areas and put their lives at risk. However, they are not given their due compensation and promotions.



“K-P government promoted teachers in 2012 while teachers in Fata are still waiting,” he said. Teachers in K-P are compensated way more than teachers in Fata though they work in high-risk areas. “Everyone questions teachers in Fata but nobody says a word about our rights, even though we are fighting ignorance in one of the most militancy-hit areas of Pakistan,” added Mujahid.

Why some schools remained open

A teacher requesting anonymity told The Express Tribune union leaders had asked them to boycott teaching from December 1 to December 7, and December 7 onwards, they were told to shut down the schools.

However, Fata has a strict attendance monitoring system which is why nobody wants to risk their jobs.

“Teachers reported to work because Fata already has a low literacy rate. Most schools were closed for the longest time due to militant insurgency in the region. That is why some of us decided to teach so education is not affected,” he said.

Govt response

An official from the education department in Mohmand Agency said the department had ordered schools to stay open. He said, “We are inspecting all schools and independent monitoring teams are checking teachers for absenteeism. If anyone is found absent from a class, strict action will be taken against him or her.”

The FATA Secretariat spokesperson told The Express Tribune the Additional Secretary for FATA and FATA Director for Education were taking keen interest in solving problems faced by teachers in
the region.

“However, if teachers are opposing a policy, they should come and speak to us instead of protesting,” the spokesperson said. “Agitation is not the way to solve problems,” he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 8^th,  2015.