Agitation: K-P teachers observe black day, boycott classes

Say they will not allow govt to announce budget if demands are not fulfilled

SWABI/ PESHAWAR: All Teachers Association (ATA) in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa observed a black day across the province and boycotted classes for two hours on Wednesday in favour of their demands. They rejected the provincial government’s new policy of granting one casual leave in a month.

The association presented their charter of demands to the K-P government. They demanded the merger of 75% ad hoc allowances with the basic pay and the introduction of an autonomous system to facilitate promotions. In addition, the association demanded the promotion of teachers according to the policy introduced between 2012 and 2013.



The association comprises 17 different primary, middle and high school groups and they had decided, in principle, to jointly protest against the government if their demands were not accepted.

On the occasion, teachers wore black ribbons on their arms and boycotted classes for two hours across K-P.

The teachers urged the government to appoint one teacher for a maximum of 40 students in a classroom and there should be no political interference from the education department.

They also demanded the government should not make teachers perform duties during polio campaigns and elections.

The members also asked the relevant authorities to devise a clear and consistent policy for the transfer of teachers.

The association insisted teachers, who perform their duties in the mountainous areas of the province, should be entitled to an additional allowance of Rs10, 000 each.

Meanwhile, All Primary Teachers Association President Malik Khalid Khan said they would launch protests outside different press clubs in the province on May 19. On May 20, they would hold a protest outside Peshawar Press Club.



“We will hold sit-in outside the K-P Assembly on May 25,” he said. “If their demands are not fulfilled even then we would gather all teachers from across the province and will stop the government from announcing the budget.”

Swabi teachers protest

All Teachers Coordination Council, Swabi held a protest outside Swabi Press Club and requested the government to reconsider the notification issued regarding the cancellation of their monthly casual leave.

On the occasion, a protest started from Government Middle School No1 in the form of a procession which culminated at Aman Chowk.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 19^th, 2016.