Classes resume as teachers call off strike

ISLAMABAD: Classes resumed in federal government schools on Wednesday after the teachers called off their strike, seven days after they started it.

The protests were being held over non-implementation of the teachers’ package which was announced by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on November 8, 2010.

President Federal Government Teachers’ Association Azhar Mehmood Awan said that the association has decided to end the strike in the larger interest of students as their examinations are very near.

“Secretary of Ministry of Education has also assured us about implementing the package as soon as possible,” he said.

However, Awan termed calling off of the strike “an interval of 15 days.”

“We called off the strike because of our students, their exams are approaching and we wanted to help them in preparation,” he said, speaking on behalf of the teachers.

“We have shown utmost flexibility and now the ball is in the ministry’s court,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 24^th, 2011.