School year wasted: Teacher absenteeism in Parachinar slammed

Parents say boycott of classes over promotions costing students

HANGU: Parents of schoolchildren from Parachinar, Kurram Agency on Wednesday blamed teachers for wasting an entire school year as a result of their decision to boycott classes to press for promotions. Their action has resulted in forced closure of schools.

The agitated parents told The Express Tribune said the teachers acted irresponsibly for their personal benefits by boycotting classes and going to protest in the federal capital for their promotions.

Students attend school on a regular basis but they feel disappointed over absence of teachers as it will also affect admissions. Only a few teachers show up in the schools of Parachinar and they leave within an hour when they know there is no one to notice their absenteeism, parents told The Express Tribune. They commented teachers who had not gone to Islamabad to protest were not attending classes but roaming the streets.

When the matter was brought up with Kurram Agency Education Officer Habibullah, he said, “We have requested teachers to hold peaceful protests where they don’t have to miss classes or take alternative measures to avoid wasting an entire school year.

Last week, teachers in Khyber Agency and Kurram Agency boycotted classes in protest, demanding upgradation. Demonstrations were held outside press clubs and in Islamabad against the FATA Secretariat and Ministry of States and Frontier Regions.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 28^th, 2016.