School enrolment drive takes a hit
Israr Ahmed, (R - 2nd row) was rescued from a stranded cable car, sits with other children in a classroom at a school in Battagram, August 23, 2023. PHOTO: REUTERS
Due to the ongoing protests by the teachers, clerks and non-teaching staff against the privatisation of schools, amendments to pension regulations and the issue of leave encashment, the new admission process in all the public schools has taken a serious hit.
According to sources, new admissions for grades I to VIII were supposed to start across all government schools from September 1. However, because of the ongoing protests, this new admission phase has been a complete failure. Over the last two weeks, no child has been enrolled in any public school across Rawalpindi Division while the new admissions will close on October 31.
Read more: Latest school privatisation list released
Government teachers and employees have been on a complete strike for four consecutive days to protest the privatisation of government schools, leave encashment, and amendment of pension rules.
The continuous educational boycott by the teachers has forced the closure of all public schools in all six districts of the division. Banners and posters have been hung at the school entrances saying: “The school is closed because of the strike.”
On the other hand, the preparation of lists of teachers and clerks, who have left their duties to join the protest sit-in, based on their absence from schools has been started. The Ministry of Education has sought the details of all the absent teachers and staff members and the education officers have directed the school heads to furnish the lists.
Meanwhile, the number of teachers and clerks who could not join the Lahore sit-in have started protest demonstrations in Rawalpindi.
On Thursday, teachers and clerks protested outside the Education Office at the Committee Chowk and outside the office of the deputy commissioner. The employees of the office of the commissioner, deputy commissioners and assistant commissioners also took out a protest rally and announced to continue the strike until their demands were met.
Condemning the use of force and violence against the unarmed protesters, the teachers and clerks demanded the immediate release of their leaders arrested in Lahore.
Due to the teachers’ strikes, protests and the educational boycott, the teaching system across Rawalpindi schools has been completely halted for nine days.
Also read: Protest forces closure of public schools across Pindi
Students of higher classes are seen roaming and socialising at the recreational spots of the twin cities of Rawalpindi Islamabad on the pretext of attending school.
Similarly, a large number of parents have started to shift their children from government to private educational institutions due to the ongoing strikes and educational boycotts across all public schools.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 13th, 2023.