Head of home economics college sought

Teachers say appointment should be made per seniority list of FDE

ISLAMABAD: Teachers at federal government colleges in the capital have demanded the appointment of a principal for the Federal Government (FG) College of Home Economics and Management Sciences in Sector F-7/2, adding that the appointment must be made based on seniority.

An official said that the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) - which oversees some 422 schools and colleges in the federal capital - had gotten administrative control of the college recently. Previously, the administrative matters of the college were looked at by the FDE and the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training. The matter of seniority and promotion of teachers was dealt with by the FDE while matters relating to grant of leaves to teachers, the appointment of principals and others were settled in the ministry.



Teachers hailed the ministry’s decision to let the FDE handle all matters about educational institutions in Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT).

They further said that the college is currently being run by Associate Professor Sadia Ashraf. The posting, however, is temporary and out-of-turn and was given after the retirement of the college’s former principal Sammar Zaffar in 2018.

The appointment was controversial as she was given the temporary charge ahead of some 11 associate professors who superseded her in the seniority list of the FDE.

Among these 11 associate professors, the top three are already working as principals at different educational institutions in the capital. Thereafter, two associate professors listed at fourth and fifth respectively are working as vice-principals of different colleges.

The remaining six senior associate professors are simply working as teachers.

Education ministry promotes 618 teachers

"Since the administrative control of the college has been given back to the FDE, it is time now that the appointment of a principal for this college should be made keeping in view the seniority list as the existing principal is junior to 11 associate professors,” an Associate Professor told APP on the condition of anonymity.

Another associate professor demanded that the principal should be appointed on the "principle of seniority" because it is following the established practices in federal government colleges and it leaves no scope for favouritism or nepotism.

A teacher at the home economics college said that "If the appointment of a principal is made on seniority, it avoids disputes amongst teachers.”

Education emergency: Shoddy training makes for shoddy teachers

The teacher added that subordinate teachers working in this college respect age and experience. “We will feel satisfied because we are interested in working under a senior and experienced boss, so any senior associate professor amongst the vice principals may be appointed as principal of the college," she said.

When contacted FDEDirector General Syed Umair Javed responded by saying, "It's a regular transfer, posting matter".

Published in The Express Tribune, May 18^th, 2020.