Shortage of college teachers persists

No major development initiative related to the college education sector was witnessed in Punjab during 2021. The top issue faced by the sector was the shortage of around 10,000 lecturers but no step was taken to start their recruitment despite repeated demands by the teachers’ unions.

A promotion policy for college teachers was also not implemented and their pay scales were not upgraded. During most of the year 2021 the college administrations were forced to offer online education despite lack of required resources in the remote districts.

The continued threat of coronavirus stalked the students and teachers alike with the death of several teachers due to the pandemic also reported. College teachers also launched a protest movement against disparity of allowances that led to the blockade of roads in the provincial capital.

The appointment of Punjab Higher Education Commission's chairperson was not made, while important slots of controllers, chairpersons and secretaries were also not filled permanently in several board of intermediate and secondary education, including the Lahore BISE. Punjab government announced plans to set up seven new universities in the province during the year but the process to implement the decision remained slow.

"College teachers passed another year without the acceptance of their basic demands. Promotions of college teachers from grade 17, 18, 19 and 20 are pending, causing disappointment among them,” Punjab Professors and Lecturers Association (PPLA) president Professor Tariq Kaleem said while speaking to The Express Tribune.

He said the shortage of around 10,000 teachers was the most important issue of the sector that had not been addressed despite protests and meetings held in this regard. “Overall, it was a disappointing year for the higher education sector,” the teachers’ leader added.