Balochistan to fire absent teachers

Government plans dismissal of over 2,000 habitually absent educators

QUETTA:

The Balochistan government has taken a decisive action by planning to terminate over 2,000 “habitually absent teachers” across the province.

The decision was made during a high-level meeting convened by the education department, underscoring the government's commitment to improving educational standards across the province.

The meeting was chaired by Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti.

The huddle focused on various challenges confronting government educational institutions, ranging from low attendance rates among teachers to the lack of basic facilities in schools.

As part of the comprehensive strategy to revitalise the education system, it was unanimously agreed to recruit contract teachers to bridge the staffing gap and ensure the functioning of inactive schools.

The meeting decided to terminate over 2,000 “habitually absent teachers” across Balochistan.

Acknowledging the gravity of the situation, Chief Minister Bugti emphasised the need for accountability and transparency within the education sector.

He underscored that the dismissal of habitually absent teachers would be swiftly executed within two months under the supervision of Balochistan chief secretary. Additionally, the implementation of a biometric attendance system in schools was mandated to monitor teacher presence effectively, with strict penalties for any system failures.

To further enhance oversight and accountability, the chief minister announced the inclusion of representatives from local bodies in district education groups. This measure aims to hold local education officers accountable and enforce strict adherence to duty among teaching staff, leaving no room for compromise.

In a resolute stance against undue political influence, the chief minister affirmed that appointments within the education department would be strictly based on merit, with no tolerance for external pressures. He reiterated his commitment to ensure practical performance from every level of the department, from secretaries to subordinate staff.

In a bid to personally assess the state of schools across remote areas of Balochistan, Chief Minister Bugti announced surprise visits to identify non-functional schools. Such schools, he emphasised, would not be spared scrutiny, especially those where vacancies exist despite salaries being drawn by teachers and staff.

The chief minister vowed to reclaim school buildings currently under unauthorised occupation by vested interests, signaling a firm stance against misuse of public resources.

The decisions taken during the meeting mark a significant step forward in Balochistan's efforts to reform its education system.

With a renewed focus on accountability, transparency, and meritocracy, the government aims to ensure that every child in the province gains access to quality education, paving the way for a brighter future for the province.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 26^th, 2024.