Cholistan teachers protest privatisation of schools

Threaten stage demonstration outside Punjab Assembly if demands not met

BAHAWALPUR: The government’s decision of handing over Cholistan community schools to private sector sparked protest and hundreds of teachers took to the streets in Bahawalpur against the move.

The protesters gathered outside commissioner’s office and shouted slogans against the poor policies of the government. They were carrying placards inscribed with their demands and blocked the main road for vehicular traffic. As a result, a massive traffic jam was witnessed and commuters remained stranded in the gridlock for hours.

Privatisation Division to the Cabinet Committee on Privatization

While speaking to The Express Tribune, the protesters said for the last seven years, they had been teaching the children of Cholistan despite facing difficulties and hardships. However, three years ago the schools in the region were handed over to Punjab Education Foundation and it was promised that teachers will be given pay scales and will be regularised but the Punjab government failed to fulfill its commitment.

They added now the government had decided to hand over the schools to the private sector. “We reject this decision because majority of teachers have crossed the age limit required for a government job and they cannot apply for any other vacancy,” a protester told The Express Tribune. He said, “After the privatisation of these schools, there is no guarantee that their jobs would be secured.”

The protesters demanded that teachers of Cholistan community schools should be regularised. They said the government should give them the status of Cholistan Development Authority’s (CDA) regular employees by making an education directorate under the organisation of CDA.



The protesting teachers said the government should revoke its decision or else their protest will continue.  “We will be compelled to stage a protest demonstration in front of the Punjab Assembly if our demand was not met,” another protester commented.

Meanwhile, Bahawalpur commissioner held negotiations with the protesters and assured them that he would discuss the matter with secretary schools, who will visit the city on July 11. On his assurance, the teachers ended their protest and dispersed peacefully.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, July 10^th, 2017.